Krakow: The new Prague?

If you’re looking to go to a beautiful place where you can soak in history, art, culture and yet experience a vibrant and lively hub of activity; for the perfect European holiday, it is now time to turn to Poland, and experience the phenomenal city of Krakow. The royal capital for half a millennium, Krakow has witnessed and absorbed more of Poland’s history than any other city in the country. Krakow is a city that has retained much of its pre-war history, as it was one of the very few cities of Poland to come out of the Wars practically unscathed in terms of its buildings and art. Apart from the history, Krakow has a vibrant cultural life to be experienced. Beautiful cafes where local musicians engage diners, an exciting nightlife, and a buzz that comes with being a student city, thanks to the Jagiellonian University and various other colleges in the city, Krakow is fast becoming the new tourist hotspot in Europe. Such has been the experience of travelers in Krakow, that it has been christened ‘the new Prague’ on the European travel circuit.

One of the things that make Krakow a more meaningful and rich experience than your normal vacation, is the opportunity to visit the sites of among the worst human brutalities in history. A trip to Auschwitz and Birkenau, about an hour’s train ride away from Krakow, can be among the most moving experiences that you can ever have. While this may not be the ideal way for most to spend a day of their vacation, a visit into the horrifying past of millions of Poles can often make one appreciate much of what is taken for granted today. Yet, if this journey becomes too heart-wrenching, Krakow also offers tourists a chance to visit the factory of Oskar Schindler on the far side of the river Wisła; the site of heroism and humanity, which has now been captured in Steven Spielberg’s award-winning feature film.

Another must-visit in Krakow is the Wieliczka salt mine, a bus or train ride to the south of the city. The small town of Wieliczka has been included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List for an underground salt mine that has been operational for almost 1000 years. The part of the mine open to tourists takes you through halls and chambers, all sculpted out of salt. There are statues and figurines, altar pieces and other adornments all formed out of salt, through a combination of nature’s wonder and human effort. This thousand-foot deep complex, with nine levels and several underground lakes, is definitely a site to behold.

The old Jewish quarter of Kazimierz, initially seeped in tragedy due to the incredible losses suffered by the Jewish population of Poland, is witnessing a cultural revival of sorts. One of the most popular cultural hubs in Krakow today, Kazimierz has become among the top draws for the younger tourist population with great Jewish restaurants, cafes and pubs and clubs, all of which make up an exciting nightlife.

The charming old city of Krakow offers a glimpse into the rich cultural history of the country through the various architectural gems around every corner, some of which have been around since as long ago as the 8^th century. The entire old city of Krakow, which houses the beautiful Wawel castle and Rynek Glowny, the largest medieval square in Europe, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site for the historical experience it offers. Yet, alongside history, the Old Town district has more bars per square meter than anywhere else in the world, making it one of the most happening areas in the city.

Krakow is also unique because of the number of diverse festivals it hosts. Every year Kraków hosts over 100 festivals, including about 50 festivals of international importance, such as the Jewish Culture Festival (since 1990), Krakowskie Zaduszki Jazzowe (Cracow Jazz All Souls' Day Festival, since 1954), Kraków Film Festival (since 1961), Music in the Old Kraków International Festival (since 1975), International Print Triennial held in Kraków (since 1966), and Festival of Street Theatres (since 1988). With all these plus the various activities that keep unfolding in the city around the year, Krakow has justly earned itself the title of the ‘Cultural capital of Poland’, as well as being adjudged the European Capital of Culture for the year 2000 but the European Union.