About Krakow
Krakow is Poland's 3th largest city, with a population of approx 740,000 people and is situated in South East Poland between the Jura uplands and the Tatra Mountains and on the Vistula River. Krakow, with an aristocratic history, was the capital of Poland for 500 years until the end of the 16th century when it was replaced with Warsaw, however it is still considered to be the cultural and intellectual capital in its own right.
Unlike Warsaw, which was razed to the ground, Krakow came through the Second World War relatively unscathed retaining one of the best preserved medieval city centers in Europe. As a result, in 1978, Krakow's old town was included on the UNESCO list of world heritage sites. Indeed, the region now boasts 4 UNESCO world heritage site within close proximity, namely, the old town, the Wieliczka salt mine, Auschwitz, and the Calvary Sanctuary in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, drawing hundreds of thousands of tourists each year.
Krakow is home to Poland's most prestigious university, Jagellonian, which has been established for over 600 years, in addition to a further 17 centers of higher education, which host a student population of approximately 160,000. Essentially a university town, Krakow has the vibrant night life and expanse of restaurants, bars, and night clubs that you would expect in a city with such a young population.
The weather in Krakow is characterized by a temperate climate with long cold winters and hot summers, with an annual average temperature of 6 C to 9 C. In the summer months of June and July, the average temperature is approx 21 C (71 F) but it can often get as hot as 30 C (86 F) whereas in the winter the contrast is an average temperature of around 0 C (32 F) in Jan and Feb with the possibility of temperatures as low as 6.5 C (-20 F)
The heart of Krakow, known as the 'Old town' is marked by a magnificent market square called the Rynek Glowny which is one of the largest and best preserved medieval squares in Europe. The Rynek itself dating back to the 13th Century has remained relatively unchanged to this day, and contains memorable a centre piece in the shape of the Sukiennice (or cloth hall) which dominates the square from its central location.
Overlooking the cloth hall from the North East corner of the Rynek are the twin towers St Mary's church, one of Krakow's most famous land marks in the city that is home to the Pope, John Paul 2nd. The Rynek is complemented by series of unique town houses, originally built in the 14th and 15th centuries (although many were later restored or rebuilt) which surround the square and add to the magical atmosphere of Poland's cultural capital.
