Krakow, Poland

Krakow, Poland

 Krakow, Poland is a must-see city when traveling in central Europe.  As one of the oldest cities in Poland, and the former capital, it is a center for the arts and education.  It also has many UNESCO world heritage sites.  There is a dark side to Krakow, however, which also should be seen.  It was the site of the Krakow ghetto during Nazi occupation in World War II, and very near the site of the Auschwitz concentration camp. 

Krakow became the capital of Poland in 1038 and became an important trade center.  The second oldest university in Europe, the University of Krakow, was founded in 1364.  Many of these sites are in or near Old Town, as are beautiful cathedrals from the 15th and 16th centuries.  Old Town is a UNESCO heritage site that represents the original Krakow.  The walls that surrounded the city were all but removed by the end of the 1800s.  The defensive moat was turned into a greenway that encircles Old Town. 

Krakow is also known for its artistic and educational background.  In addition to the beautiful architecture, Krakow is the home to over 80 museums, including painting, sculpture, history, and science.  Poland’s National Museum is located in Krakow.  In addition to being a European leader in the arts, Krakow is home to over twenty universities making it an education center for Europe.  A very popular site (also a UNESCO heritage site) is the Wieliczka Salt Mine about 15 minutes southeast of the city.  A thousand feet under the surface, and with over 150 miles of passages and chambers, this mine continually produced salt from the 1300’s to 1996.   

One of the most popular figures who spent a significant part of his life in Krakow was Karol Wojtyla, who later became Cardinal of Krakow.  In 1978, his election ended the over 450 consecutive years of Italian Popes when he became Pope John Paul II.  The international airport is named after him, and there are many monuments to him. 

Unfortunately, there is a dark side to Krakow’s history and that is the occupation of Nazi Germany during World War II.  All of Krakow’s Jewish population was forced into the Ghetto and then sent to concentration camps.  About an hour west of Krakow is the Auschwitz concentration camp.  It has been preserved with many explanations of the atrocities committed.  Whereas some places want to ignore or hide their history, Poland believes people need to know the history so it isn’t repeated. 

Another historical site is Oskar Schlinder’s factory.  For those who have seen the film Schlinder’s List you know that he hired as many Jews as he could to keep them from the death camps.  Not only was the story in Krakow, the film was made there, too. 

Krakow is a true dichotomy.  There is so much history to the city and the significance it has played in European history.  There is also the dark side; the horror of the atrocities committed, and the need to remember them so we, as a people, don’t commit them again.