When we decided to head to Poland, several people advised us to skip Warsaw in favour of the southern city of Krakow.

The current capital is a big, industrial city without much to recommend it, they said. Whereas Krakow – the former royal capital – is full of history, beauty and culture.

We took the advice so can’t attest to the former, but we certainly agree with the latter. Krakow is a lovely city.

 

Main Square in Krakow's Old Town is one of the largest in Europe
Main Square in Krakow's Old Town is one of the largest in Europe
Surrounded by elegant townhouses and medieval palaces
Surrounded by elegant townhouses and medieval palaces
The busy square is a meeting place for locals and a resting place for tired tourists
The busy square is a meeting place for locals and a resting place for tired tourists
Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), in the center of Main Square, is one of Krakow’s best-known buildings
Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), in the center of Main Square, is one of Krakow’s best-known buildings
Opened in the 13th century, Cloth Hall was an important market place; today it's an important souvenir-selling centre :)
Opened in the 13th century, Cloth Hall was an important market place; today it's an important souvenir-selling centre 🙂
The Hall's porticoes reminded us of Bologna
The Hall's porticoes reminded us of Bologna
The tower to the left of Cloth Hall is all that remains of Krakow's original Town Hall; the rest was demolished in 1820 as part of a plan to open up the square
The tower to the left of Cloth Hall is all that remains of Krakow's original Town Hall; the rest was demolished in 1820 as part of a plan to open up the square
On the other side of Cloth Hall, the 14th century St Mary’s Basilica
On the other side of Cloth Hall, the 14th century St Mary’s Basilica
In a tradition that has continued for centuries, a trumpeter plays a Polish anthem from the top of the church tower every hour, on the hour - day and night; the midday performance is broadcast on Polish radio
In a tradition that has continued for centuries, a trumpeter plays a Polish anthem from the top of the church tower every hour, on the hour - day and night; the midday performance is broadcast on Polish radio
Wawel Hill with the Royal Castle and Cathedral
Wawel Hill with the Royal Castle and Cathedral
This is the view from our little apartment, not far from Main Square
This is the view from our little apartment, not far from Main Square
Pope John Paul II is beloved here in Krakow; the former Polish Cardinal was elected Pope in 1978
Pope John Paul II is beloved here in Krakow; the former Polish Cardinal was elected Pope in 1978
Other famous names are associated with Krakow, too; the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus studied here (and so is claimed as a favourite son)
Other famous names are associated with Krakow, too; the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus studied here (and so is claimed as a favourite son)
And cosmetics queen Helena Rubinstein was born in Krakow
And cosmetics queen Helena Rubinstein was born in Krakow
Carriage rides are common in European cities, but we haven't seen many horses decked out as well as those in Krakow
Carriage rides are common in European cities, but we haven't seen many horses decked out as well as those in Krakow
Krakow is known as a centre of culture
Krakow is known as a centre of culture
 
Just across the Vistula River
Just across the Vistula River
This is MOCAK, the city's Museum of Contemporary Art
This is MOCAK, the city's Museum of Contemporary Art
In an appropriately modern space
In an appropriately modern space
The gallery has exhibited some of the world's best contemporary artists
The gallery has exhibited some of the world's best contemporary artists
We didn't love everything we saw here
We didn't love everything we saw here
But there was more than enough to make our visit worthwhile
But there was more than enough to make our visit worthwhile
 
Later that afternoon, Mother Nature put on a show of her own
Later that afternoon, Mother Nature put on a show of her own
Grey skies
Grey skies
And storm clouds - just the right atmosphere for the second part of our visit to Krakow
And storm clouds - just the right atmosphere for the second part of our visit to Krakow