Kraków

Kraków is a city in southern Poland, located on the Vistula River. It is the capital of the Lesser Poland Voivodeship and a major cultural and academic center. The city has long been a center of learning and industry; Jagiellonian University, founded in 1364, is one of the oldest universities in Europe. Kraków is Poland’s second-largest city by population and serves as a regional economic and administrative hub.

Kraków’s historic center forms the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Historic Centre of Kraków. The Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) is one of the largest medieval town squares in Europe and is surrounded by landmarks such as St. Mary’s Basilica, with the Hejnał mariacki, and the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice). On Wawel Hill are Wawel Castle and Wawel Cathedral, emblematic of Polish kingship. The Old Town retains a coherent medieval street plan and numerous churches, palaces, and tenement houses.

Kraków encompasses several districts, including Kazimierz, the historic Jewish quarter with synagogues and cultural sites. The city preserves a variety of museums and cultural institutions and hosts events such as the Kraków Film Festival. It is served by Kraków John Paul II International Airport and by a major railway network, with Kraków Główny as the main station. The city remains a popular destination for tourism, research, and higher education, and its economy combines services, trade, and industry.