Kraków (['krakuf]; variant English spelling Cracow; in full Royal Capital City of Kraków, Polish: Królewskie Stołeczne Miasto Kraków, during Austrian rule: Krakau). It's one of the oldest and largest cities of Poland, with a 2004 population of 780,000 (1.4 million, counting adjacent communities). This historic city is situated on the Vistula (Wisła) River at the foot of Wawel Hill. Little Poland (Małopolska). It is the capital of the Little Poland Voivodeship. Previously it was the capital of Poland.
Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading scientific, cultural and artistic centres of the country, the former seat of the Polish kings and national capital, and is considered by many to still be the heart of Poland, due to its history of more than a thousand years. Kraków is also a major centre of local and international tourism, attracting seven million visitors per year.
Cracow - Pascal pocket guidebook by Bogusław Michalec
Kraków, a city of dreams - ?If Kościuszko Mound smoked a bit from time to time, and the Błonia had more water, Naples could not compete with Kraków,? the Nobel Prize winning writer Henryk Sienkiewicz said once about the city. Those who have seen Naples know he was right. Capital of the Małopolska region, Kraków (Cracow) is the biggest city in southern Poland and the country?s third largest city after Warsaw and Łódź. Without any exaggeration, it is a legendary place. It is also a vibrant academic and cultural centre whose importance for Poland and Europe is determined both by its past and modernity.
Kazimierz, which lies to the south of the Royal Castle, was once a town on its own rights. The town was founded in 1335 by King Kazimierz the Great, and as its splendid churches and synagogues evoke, it was once a place of prosperity and tolerance. Two nations and two great religions existed here in harmony for centuries. It is in Kazimierz that the massive, catholic churches sprung up alongside Jewish synagogues.
Cracow is the only city in the world that chronicles almost the whole life of John Paul II. Here are the places that remember him as a student and worker, actor and poet, young priest and lecturer, bishop and finally ? a Head of The Catholic Church (October 16th, 1978).
While you travel, there is always time for a short break. It doesn't matter what time of day or night it is. A cup of coffee in the sidewalk cafe, lunch in the fine restaurant or great party in the club - everyone can find in Cracow the best way to use that time. In this city there is always some place that is waiting for you.