Legend says that the city was founded by the mythical ruler Krak on Wawel Hill, above a cave occupied by a ravenous dragon. The first historical records are of Slavic people settling along the banks of the Wisla River here in the 8th century. By the end of the 10th century Krakow was a major market centre and it had been incorporated into the Polish state ruled by the Piast dynasty. In the middle of the 11th century Krakow became the capital of Poland. Destroyed two hundred years later by the Tartar invasion it was rebuilt in the form basically unaltered until our times. The period of Krakow's greatest splendour began with the reign of King Kazimierz the Great who founded here a university in 1364 - the oldest in central Europe after Prague. The growth continued during the reign of the Jagiellonian dynasty as manifested by the great works of the Renaissance art and architecture created at that time. After the transfer of the capital to Warszawa in 1596, Krakow began to decline, which was accelerated by the pillage of the city during the Swedish invasion. Following the partitions of Poland between three neighbouring countries at the end of the 18th century, Krakow was the incorporated into Austria. During the World War I from Krakow Legions led by Jozef Pilsudski set out to fight for the liberation of Poland. In September 1939 the Nazis entered the city. Fortunately Krakow escaped destruction during World War II and it is now flourishing again.
In 1978 UNESCO distinguished Krakow by entering its name in the list of world cultural heritage centers. Among hundreds of historic buildings the following are of the special interest: the Royal Castle and Cathedral on Wawel Hill, the medieval Old Town with one of Europe's most beautiful squares, Market Square (200 by 200 meters), dozens of old churches and museums, the 14th century Jagiellonian University as well as Kazimierz - historical centre of Krakow's Jewish religious and social life. Krakow is a convenient starting point of excursions to the Salt Mine in Wieliczka, to the Tatra mountains, to Czestochowa , to the former Nazi death camp Auschwitz in Oswiecim and to the Ojcow National Park.
Over three centuries ago Krakow acquired the honourable title "totius Poloniae urbs celeberrima", which well reflected the unique character of the town, the old capital of Poland, the city of Nicholas Copernicus and Pope John Paul II.
Come, see and enjoy.