Krakow Travel

Tour Description :

The most popular tour which covers the most important monuments and buildings in Krakow, with small variations provided by many travel agencies.

Duration :

appr. 3,5 h

Standard Tour :

The tour starts from Old Jewish District Kazimierz. The short walk around Szeroka street show the important role played in Polish history by the Jews, who before the WWII consisted 10% of country population ( around 40% of Krakow ).Along the street who featured in the movie ‘Schindler’s list’ are the buildings of Remu and Old Synagouge, former Mykwah and house of Helen Rubinstein. More comprehensive visiting is possible duringJewish Kazimierz Tour.

The Wawel Hill focuses more than a thousand years of Polish history. The Wawel Cathedral has been built on the former one from 11th century, with the main nave from Gothic 14th ( century ) and later additions like famous Renaissance Sigismund Chapel. The central point inside is occupied by the ‘Altar of the Nation’ with the coffin of Patron Saint of Poland , bishop Stanislaus, the graves of royalty and aristocracy are located around the church.
The statue outside of the Cathedral reminds the time when the Pope John Paul the Second celebrated the mass services here as the arcbishop of Kraków.
The tour goes to see the Renaissance courtyard of the Wawel Castle from the ‘Golden’ 16th century, where the Kings of Poland lived and ruled here.

The walk from the Wawel Hill to the Market Square follows Kanonicza and Floriańska streets, which form so called the ‘Royal Route’.
There are a lot of old parts of the buildings visible while walking through Kanonicza street , the perfect example is 15th century facade of building that now hosts hotel ‘Copernicus’.
Twelve figures of the apostles are easy to recognise symbol of Baroque church of SS. Paul and Peter. Nearby are two Romanesque towers of the oldest church in Kraków dedicated to St. Andrew on Grodzka street.
Later the tour enters the church of St. Francis of Assisi to see the art-nouveau stained-glass windows designed by Stanisław Wyspiański, the side chapel holds the copy of ‘Shroud of Turin’.

After passing by the Old Market Square the tour ends inside of the church of St.Mary in front of the main altar finished in wood by Wit Stwosz in 1483, considered to be one of the greatest Gothic masterpieces of art.