Krakow Travel Guide - Top 5 Places to Sightsee
- 3 years ago
Krakow is one of the most beautiful cities in Poland! Here are the Top 5 Places to Sightsee, including Wawel Castle, Old Town and the Main Square, the Jewish district of Kazimierz, Krakow's Mounds and the Vistula River.
My name is Michael Johnson, travel guide and owner of Film Compass, and I've been living in Krakow, Poland for a little over a year now. I'll be bringing you more videos about Europe and the unique locations that only Poland can provide. Without further ado here are my top 5 places to sightsee in Krakow.
1. Wawel Castle
If you're looking at Wawel Castle from across the river you'll see the tall walls of the castle and Sandomierska Tower on the right. Just below the castle walls is the Wawel dragon statue that breathes real fire!
Once you enter the castle you'll immediately see Wawel Royal Cathedral. Upon a closer look at the cathedral, you'll notice the very popular Sigismund's chapel, a Tuscan Renaissance funerary chapel with a golden dome!
2. Old Town and the Main Square
St. Mary's Cathedral:
The cathedral along with the Historic Centre of Krakow is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the most beautiful aspects of St. Mary's cathedral is the alter piece. St. Mary's Altar was carved between 1477 and 1489 and is one of Europe's largest Gothic Altarpieces and is made completely out of wood!
The Cloth Hall:
The Kraków Cloth Hall(Sukiennice in Polish) sits in the center of Krakow’s main square. Originally, the Cloth Hall was used as a center for international trade by travelling merchants. Many exports and imports came through the hall but now it’s a wonderful place to see handmade crafts, fine jewelry made from Amber and exotic gifts only found in Krakow!
Florianska Street:
One of the most famous aspects of this street is St. Florians Gate which used to be the main entrance to Krakow’s Old Town. To enter the Old Town, visitors had to pass through the Barbakan, a fortress structure and then head through St. Florian’s Gate to enter the Old Town.
3. Kazimierz
Before Kazimierz was systematically destroyed during World War 2 it was the center of Jewish life. Many museums, such as Schindler’s Factory, documents the hardship Kazimierz and Lesser Poland went through during WW2.
4. Krakow Mounds
There are a total of 4 mysterious mounds in Krakow, but my favorite would be Krakus Mound as it is within walking distance of the Old Town. Other mounds around Krakow are Tadeusz Kościuszko Mound, Wanda Mound, Piłsudski Mound.
5. Vistula River
Also known as Wisła to the Polish, the river is the longest in Poland. The Vistula flows through the city by Wawel Castle and venues like The Forum where you can relax with friends or catch Krakow’s Observation Balloon Ride to see more of the city.
My name is Michael Johnson, travel guide and owner of Film Compass, and I've been living in Krakow, Poland for a little over a year now. I'll be bringing you more videos about Europe and the unique locations that only Poland can provide. Without further ado here are my top 5 places to sightsee in Krakow.
1. Wawel Castle
If you're looking at Wawel Castle from across the river you'll see the tall walls of the castle and Sandomierska Tower on the right. Just below the castle walls is the Wawel dragon statue that breathes real fire!
Once you enter the castle you'll immediately see Wawel Royal Cathedral. Upon a closer look at the cathedral, you'll notice the very popular Sigismund's chapel, a Tuscan Renaissance funerary chapel with a golden dome!
2. Old Town and the Main Square
St. Mary's Cathedral:
The cathedral along with the Historic Centre of Krakow is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the most beautiful aspects of St. Mary's cathedral is the alter piece. St. Mary's Altar was carved between 1477 and 1489 and is one of Europe's largest Gothic Altarpieces and is made completely out of wood!
The Cloth Hall:
The Kraków Cloth Hall(Sukiennice in Polish) sits in the center of Krakow’s main square. Originally, the Cloth Hall was used as a center for international trade by travelling merchants. Many exports and imports came through the hall but now it’s a wonderful place to see handmade crafts, fine jewelry made from Amber and exotic gifts only found in Krakow!
Florianska Street:
One of the most famous aspects of this street is St. Florians Gate which used to be the main entrance to Krakow’s Old Town. To enter the Old Town, visitors had to pass through the Barbakan, a fortress structure and then head through St. Florian’s Gate to enter the Old Town.
3. Kazimierz
Before Kazimierz was systematically destroyed during World War 2 it was the center of Jewish life. Many museums, such as Schindler’s Factory, documents the hardship Kazimierz and Lesser Poland went through during WW2.
4. Krakow Mounds
There are a total of 4 mysterious mounds in Krakow, but my favorite would be Krakus Mound as it is within walking distance of the Old Town. Other mounds around Krakow are Tadeusz Kościuszko Mound, Wanda Mound, Piłsudski Mound.
5. Vistula River
Also known as Wisła to the Polish, the river is the longest in Poland. The Vistula flows through the city by Wawel Castle and venues like The Forum where you can relax with friends or catch Krakow’s Observation Balloon Ride to see more of the city.