Wieliczka Salt Mine

Some 14km southeast of Kraków, the Wieliczka (vyeh-leech-Kah) salt mine was inviting tourists since 1722 and now is just one of Poland’s most well-known attractions. It’s a labyrinth of chambers and tunnels about 300km spread over nine degrees, the under-ground that is being — where there is a part offered to the general public via guided tours. Visitors choose a conventional’tourist’ course of the landscapes, whilst reunite visitors can elect to get a more-immersive’miners’ path.

Even the formations that are salt-hewn involve chapels with characters and altarpieces, while some have been adorned with monuments and statues — and now there are underground lakes. The climax of this tour would be your enormous room (54m from 18m, also 12m large ) home the ornamented Chapel of St Kinga (Kaplica Św Kingi). Every part here, from stalls to altarpieces, is constructed from salt. It required more than 30 years now (1895) for 2 men to finish this subterranean temple, also approximately 20,000 tonnes of rock had to be eliminated. Other highlights would be the saltwater lake from the Erazm Barącz Chamber, whose water is much denser compared to the Dead Sea, along with the amazing 36m-high Stanisław Staszic Chamber.

Wawel Royal Castle

As the cultural and political heart of Poland throughout the century, Wawel Royal Castle can be a potent symbol of national identity. It comprises five different segments: State Rooms and Armoury, Crown Treasury, Royal Private Apartments, Lost Wawel and the Exhibition of Asian Art. Another ticket is required by each. Of the five, Royal Private Apartments and the State Rooms are the most impressive, but the very best part is drifting around the castle grounds 6 am to dusk, to be honest.

Schindler’s Factory

Despite the name, this tradition covers more than the story of Oskar Schindler, the Nazi German industrialist who saved the lives of all members of his Jewish labor force during the Holocaust. Additionally, it expands to include all characteristics of Kraków’s job from 1939 to 1945 through a string of well-organized, interactive exhibits. Take a tram to Plac Bohaterów Getta, subsequently follow ul Kącik west under the railway line to locate the museum.

Wawel Cathedral

Wawel Cathedral has witnessed many coronations, funerals, and burials of both the monarchs and nobles of Poland. Chapels in different fashions were assembled around it, although the present cathedral is a Gothic. The showpiece is the Sigismund Chapel (Kaplica Zygmuntowska) on the southern wall. It’s usually referred to as the very amazing Renaissance chapel north of the Alps, recognizable from the surface with its dome. An audio manual (8zł) helps to place it all in context.

This is the third church on this site. The original has been set up in the 11th century by King Bolesław that I Chrobry and replaced using a Romanesque construction around 1140. When that burnt down 1305, only the Crypt of St Leonard lived. Highlights contain the Crypt of St Leonard and Royal Crypts, Sigismund Chapel, Sigismund Bell, and the Holy Cross Chapel.

St Mary’s Basilica

2 mechanics of various heights, dominate this brick church, best known as St Mary’s. The first church was constructed from the 1220s and after its devastation during a Tatar raid, construction of this basilica began. Tour the beautiful interior, with its impressive carved wooden altarpiece, also at summertime scale the tower (adult/concession 15/10zł) for excellent views. Do not miss the hourly hejnał (bugle phone ) from the taller tower.

The major church entry, via a baroque gateway inserted to the southwestern facade at the 1750s, can be utilized by worshippers; vacationers should enter through the side door to the south east.

Collegium Maius

Section of Jagiellonian University, the Collegium Maius, maybe the oldest university and one of the finest samples of architecture in the metropolis. It’s best known for its star pupil astronomer and mathematician Nicolaus Copernicus. Guided tours (at 10 am) flaunt a number of his manuscripts in addition to scientific novels and instruments from those times. Have a look at the glorious arcaded courtyard and clock (7 am to dusk) and also a tiny temporary exhibition in your science.

Museum of Pharmacy

The Jesuits built that church, the very very first baroque building in Kraków, after that they were brought to do battle. Topped with a massive skylit dome and designed in the Latin cross design, the church includes an interior, apart from some fine stucco decoration on the vault.

Church of SS Peter & Paul

This tradition and exhibit space, located from the socialist-realist Światowid theater, concentrates on the communist history of Nowa Huta and of Poland in general. Rotating exhibitions that are photographic highlight various facets of life with plenty of tie-ins that are local alive at Nowa Huta. There’s an atomic refuge at the cellar, with a small exhibition in case of war on the emergency training of Poland.

Museum of the People’s Republic of Poland

This tradition and exhibit area, situated from the socialist-realist Światowid theater, concentrates on the communist history of Nowa Huta and of Poland generally speaking. Rotating displays highlight various aspects of life under communism, with lots of local tie ins to life at Nowa Huta. There is an atomic shelter at the basement, with a small display in the event of nuclear war on Poland’s emergency preparations.

Kościuszko Mound

This mound, dedicated to Polish (and American) military hero Tadeusz Kościuszko (1746–1817), has been erected between 1820 and 1823. It stands 34m high and comprises soil from the American and Hebrew battlefields in which Kościuszko fought. The entrance contains the increase up the mound as well as a tour of this adjacent 19th-century fort, with all exhibitions on Kościuszko’s life. The memorial is located at Zwierzyniec west of the oldtown.

Rynek Underground

This fascinating attraction beneath the market square is made up through ancient market stalls and chambers. The’dark ages match 21stcentury’ adventure is enriched by holograms and audiovisual wizardry. Buy tickets in an office across the western side of the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice 2-1 ), by which an electronic board shows tour times and tickets available. The entry to the tunnels is located on the end of the Cloth Hall.

Galicia Jewish Museum

This tradition observes history and the Jewish culture of the former Austro-Hungarian region of Galicia and commemorates Jewish victims of the Holocaust. It sports a remarkable photographic exhibition constituting modern-day remnants of the community of Poland, called traces of Memory’,” along with video testimony of exhibitions that are regular and survivors. The memorial also leads tours of Kazimierz’s sites.

Basilica of St Francis

Duck into the dark basilica on a bright day to admire the artistry of all Stanisław Wyspiański, who designed the brilliant art nouveau stained-glass windows. The multi-colored deity from the chancel above the organ loft can be a masterpiece. You could even enter the cloister of the Franciscan Monastery to respect the items of 15th-century frescoes. Closed to tourists during mass.

Main Market Square

The enormous Main Market Square is the attention of this Old Town and will be Europe’s largest medieval town square (200m by 200m). Its most outstanding features are the 16th-century Cloth Hall at the center, a 15thcentury Town Hall Tower and a breathtaking bronze statue of Polish 19th-century amorous poet Adam Mickiewicz on the square’s eastern side.

Czartoryski Museum

The Czartoryski boasts the town’s wealthiest art series, including Leonardo Da Vinci’s 15thcentury masterpiece, Lady with an Ermine (1489–90). Other exhibits include Turkish weaponry in addition to Egyptian, Roman, Greek and Etruscan art. The museum closed for renovation this year and has been set to reopen after 20-19 as a branch of the National Museum. Until then, Lady with an Ermine is on display at the National Museum principal division.

Old Synagogue

This synagogue, dating from the 15th century, is the oldest surviving house of worship in Poland. It had been plundered and partially destroyed by the Germans, but later restored. The prayer hall, complete with a reconstructed bimah (raised platform at the center at which the Torah is read) and the original aron kodesh (the niche from the oriental wall at which Torah scrolls are kept), houses an exhibition of important liturgical objects.

Cloth Hall

This building was the heart of Kraków’s medieval clothing exchange. Created in the early 14th century after there had been a roof placed two rows of genders, it had been extended into a 108m-long Gothic structure rebuilt following a 1555 fire in Renaissance style; the arcades were a late-19th-century addition. The ground floor is a trading center for toddlers and crafts; the top floor houses the Gallery of 19thcentury Polish Painting.

Corpus Christi Church

From the corner of founded and Plac Wolnica it was the very first church in Kazimierz and for a time the parish church of the town. Its interior has been fitted outside using furnishings, for instance, high altar, extraordinarily carved stalls in the chancel and a boat-shaped pulpit. Be aware of the surviving early-15th-century stained glass window at the refuge and the crucifix.

Bishop Erazm Ciołek Palace

Quaint Kanonicza will be the street fill it with paintings and sculptures and then to set a palace. This newish branch of the National Museum comprises two exhibits of art that is religious. The Art of Old Poland (12th to 18th centuries) contains tons of Gothic paintings, altarpieces and also a room devoted to sculptor Veit Stoss. A second display concentrates on esophageal artwork.

Holy Trinity Basilica

Built in the 13th century, this church had been damaged by fire in 1850. Be aware of the initial 14th-century door at the main (western) entry to the church. Even the monastery, just behind the northern wall of this church, is accessible from the street (go into an unmarked door in Stolarska 1-2 ). Closed to tourists through Sunday mass.

Jordan Park

This park is still popular for many. You’ll come across dog-walkers enjoying fields, kids on climbing outdoor yoga class frames, and more. Loosen up on the grass in the summertime, or take to ice skating.

High Synagogue

This past place of worship was built around 1560, in Renaissance style, and is the third-oldest synagogue after the Old along with Remuh synagogues. The higher Synagogue takes its name from how the prayer hall has been situated on the very first (top ) floor, while the ground floor was given over to shops. The synagogue is dormant and holds a photographic exhibit on Kazimierz’s categories. The ground floor holds a branch of this Jewish bookshop chain, Austria.

Barbican

The remnant of the medieval fortifications of Kraków that the Barbican is a powerful bastion. There are 130 loopholes within its 3m-thick walls. This curious piece of defensive art was constructed in 1498 to protect the Florian Gate, also has been once connected to it with the way of a narrow passage running a moat. One entry ticket gets you to both.

Pauline Church of SS Michael & Stanislaus

Skałka, because this operation monastery and the spiritual shrine is known as locally, dates into the early days of the Polish kingdom. In 1079, Bishop Stanisław Szczepanowski, later announced a Polish patron saint, was beheaded here by King Bolesław Śmiały (Boleslaus the Bold): the tree trunk at which the deed had been done is next to the altar. The baroque look of the church comes from a mid-18th-century redesign. The crypt (closed December to February) shelters several distinguished cultural figures, such as Nobel-winning poet Czesław Miłosz (1911-2004).

Florian Gate

This rock gateway is the only person of many city’s initial eight gates that weren’t dismantled during the modernization. It was built around 1300, although the shirt is a later addition. The walls have been left standing. The Florian Gate with the neighboring Barbican form part of a memorial known as the City Defence Walls, and yet one admission ticket covers entrance into both.

City Defence Walls

This little museum includes entrance to the Florian Gate along with Barbican, among the few surviving remnants of the town’s medieval defense walls. The Florian Gate was the city entrance and dates from the 14th century. A bastion adorned with seven turrets, Even the Barbican, was built at the close of the 15th century to lend security. Way of a narrow passage running over a moat once connected to the gate.

Ethnographic Museum

The permanent display here offers the interiors of craft and trade shows and workshops costumes, traditional Polish peasant cottages, nativity scenes that are extra-ordinary, and folk and painting and woodcarving. The museum has been housed within the former town hall of Kazimierz. It was constructed from the 14th century and after that significantly extended from the 16th century.

Museum of Municipal Engineering

While indoors there’s a fun assortment of automobiles and motorbikes, trams and trucks satisfy the yard with this former tram depot. A few interactive science quizzes are sure to keep kids along with A space of hands-on magnetic and water experiments occupied. The memorial is about a comprehensive renovation, meaning some rooms and exhibits may be shut onto your visit. The museum is a favorite, particularly on weekends, so reserve tickets beforehand on the website.

Plac Bohaterów Getta

Referred to as Plac Zgody during the German occupation of WWII, this public square marks the start of the purpose-built Jewish wartime ghetto that extended for many blocks within this part of Podgórze (there is a map showing the extent of the ghetto on the northern border near a former German control post). Space served as a gathering ground. It had been a deportation site whilst the ghetto was liquidated in 1942–43.

Royal Private Apartments

This tour lends insight to their own families and monarchs once lived. You’ll see plenty of Flemish, mainly west French and glorious tapestries. The collection was chiefly built by Zygmunt II August (Sigismund II Augustus; 1548–72). Other highlights include the so-called Hen’s Foot, Jadwiga’s gemlike chapel from the northeast tower, and the sumptuous Gdańsk-made furniture in the Alchemy Room along with annex.

Remuh Cemetery

This evocative cemetery stands just behind the Remuh Synagogue and dates into the Renaissance period of this 16th century. This had been the quarter’s primary burial earth before it was closed to hygienic reasons in the late 18th century, even once the bigger New Jewish Cemetery was initially set. During WWII, the Germans vandalized the tombstones, however many 700 grave markers, including some Renaissance examples, are recovered. The admission includes entry to the synagogue.

Pharmacy Under the Eagle

This former drugstore, around the side of Plac Bohaterów Getta, tells the story of owner Tadeusz Pankiewicz, who risked life and limb wanting to help the Podgórze ghetto’s residents during WWII. Israel, later honored a Polish Gentile, Pankiewicz as being’Righteous Among the Nations’ for his or her efforts. The pharmacy’s interior has been restored to its wartime appearance and tells the narrative of their ghetto and also the function of the drugstore in life.