Welcome to Krakow!

Krakow is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland, in the Małopolska (Lesser Poland) region.

Krakow was the official capital of Poland until 1596, and is often cited as one of Europe's most beautiful cities, and its Old Town with the Wawel Royal Castle was declared the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the world.

Krakow is located in southern Poland, lying on both sides of the upper Vistula River. Its marketplace, the Main Square, has existed since the 13th century. 

Between 1795 and 1918 the city was controlled by Austria, except from 1809 to 1815, when it existed as part of the Duchy of Warsaw. In 1918 Kraków was returned to Poland, only to be taken by the Germans at the beginning of World War 2. During this period, the university’s teaching staff was executed, and some 55000 Jews from the city were sent to the Auschwitz II (Birkenau) death camp. 

In 1945 Krakow was liberated by Soviet forces, and it suffered far less damage than other cities in the region. The city was then heavily industrialized, including the creation of the giant Nowa Huta steelworks, and all these industrial developments turned the area into one of the most polluted in Europe, threatening public health and the city’s architectural past.

Just outside the city lies the Vieliczka salt mine, operational for at least 700 years, made of 300 kilometers of underground tunnels.

Krakow provides a showcase setting for many historic styles of architecture, including the historical Jewish district of Casimiria (Kazimierz), and all of its Synagogues.

The city's official full name is Royal Capital City of Krakow.