It is their talents and imagination we must thank for the city's rich legacy of unique historical relics, which reflect the most important trends in European culture.
The renaissance Royal Castle at Wawel, the gothic St Mary's Basilica, the historical trade pavilions of the Cloth Hall, the former separate Jewish city of Kazimierz, and even the Nowa Huta district, absorbed by Krakow together with its socialist-realist, industrial architecture, are all places which make a visit to Krakow extremely worthwhile.
Although the city no longer plays such an important administrative role, for many people, thanks to its rich history, Krakow nevertheless represents a synthesis of all things Polish, connecting tradition with modernity. In the special atmosphere of the beautiful and mysterious streets of the Old Town and Kazimierz you will find everything you need to allow you to escape from everyday life. Galleries full of exhibitions, cafes, pubs and restaurants: all of this is an integral part of any visit to Krakow. And all this is merely a modest part of what we can offer travellers seeking exciting destinations on the world map.
Tradition entwines with modern times nearly everywhere you go, and each stone has its own history. There is a multitude of architectural monuments - etimated at 6,000 buildings and other structures. This is supplemented by approximately 2.5 million artefacts collected and displayed in museums, churches and archives. Thanks to the extraordinary accumulation of cultural wealth, the city was registered as one of the 12 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Area:326,8 km² 
Latitude: 50°04' E 
Longitude: 19°57' N 
Population (2004): 
- city  757,500 
- urban  1,200,000 
- density  2317.93/km² 
Area code  (+48) 12 
Car registration marks  KR OOO1 to KR 99999 
Administrative districts :
Stare Miasto, Grzegórzki, Pradnik Czerwony, Pradnik Bialy, Lobzów, Bronowice, Bienczyce, Zwierzyniec, Debniki, Lagiewniki, Swoszowice, Wola Duchacka, Prokocim-Biezanów, Podgórze, Czyzyny, Mistrzejowice, Grebalów, Nowa Huta 

HISTORY  
Archaeological findings provide evidence that Wawel Hill was settled as far back as the early Stone Age. The Mounds of Krakus and Wanda, legendary rulers of the settlement inhabited by the Slavonic tribe of Wiślanie, probably date back to the 7th century. Krakow was mentioned for the first time in a report of Ibrahim-Ibn-Jakub, a merchant from Cordoba, in the year 985.   more......

WHAT TO SEE ...?
From high on a hilltop, Wawel Castle keeps watch over the Old Town of Krakow. The castle was built in the Renaissance style and houses an extraordinary collection of treasures of the Polish monarchies through the ages. more.....