Our Krakow for children tour starts on Wawell Hill where young explorers have the opportunity to visit the Cathedral, go down to the crypts, and climb into the tower to touch the heart of the Sigismund Bell. They can hear some stories about Polish kings, saints (eg. St. Stanislaus), national heroes, and poets who lies within the walls of this unique temple. Renaissance architecture awaits us in the courtyard of the Wawel Royal Castle (imagine all the court stories about the life of this era!). The youngest torists should also visit Dragon’s Den where our guide will present them the legend of the famous Krakow monster.

From the Wawel Hill we can go to the Main Market Square, telling younger children magical fairy tales about Lajkonik, knights enchanted in pigeons, and builders of St. Mary’s Church. Older kids may hear about banquet at Mikolaj Wierzynek’s house or Prussian Homage – important facts from Polish and Krakow history. Walking through the Royal Route we can enjoy the most beautiful sights of Krakow – Church of St. Peter and Paul, the Town Hall Tower, Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica, and finally St. Florian’s Gate and Barbican. Of course our guide has in store many interesting anecdotes and answers to all of Your questions (even those most surprising). So, we just know how to make a school trip to Krakow was both an educational and unforgettable adventure!

We offer: 

• Guides with a great sense of humor and fantastic contact with children (guide encourages kids to participate actively in exploring)
• Educational value of our tours and a great time during sightseeing (duration: 2-4 hours, depending on the selected option)
• The possibility of booking delicious, nutritious meals in excellent prices

Krakow for children – sample itinerary:

1. Wawel Cathedral – our tour starts with a visit in the one of the most important temples in Poland. Royal coronations and funerals took place in this church. In the middle of it stands the Baroque confession of St. Stanislaus which recalls history of his martyrdom. Krakow bishop Stanislaus was slaughtered by king Boleslaus in 1075. Hagiographic legend says that he admonished the king. Royal tombstones are situated on the both sides of confession, and decorated by high-class sculpture (one of them was made by Veit Stoss). Before descending to the crypts, where Polish kings and poets lies it’s worth to walk among the ambulatory and see private bishops’ chapels. Then you can climb to the top of the tower and see the biggest bell in Poland – Sigismund Bell from the 16^th Each junior and senior explorer will be able to touch its heart and say a wish which will come true!
2. Royal Castle – beautiful arcaded courtyard of Renaissance palace is a perfect place to talk about Polish kings and queens, especially Sigismund I and Bona Sforza – Italian princess who came to Poland from a distant Bari to marry Polish king and become a queen (she was great in her new role!)
3. Dragon’s Den – the legendary dragon’s lair is also a geological curiosity. We can explore the interior of the great cavern hollowed by nature in the Wawel limestone rock, or listen to the stories about prince Krak, his sons, his daughter Wanda, and shoemaker Dratewka. But the main character of the story is the great beast which long time ago persecuted inhabitants of Krakow (finally it tasted sheep stuffed with sulfur and died).
4. Kanonicza and Grodzka Streets – walking towards the Old Town begins in extremely picturesque Kanonicza Street, where cathedral canons lived since Middle Ages (including the famous chronicler Jan Dlugosz). In many houses Gothic and Renaissance details has survived! (eg. In the Palace of Bishop Erazm Ciolek palace). Then we enters the Royal Route which leads us unto Barbican. It’s a historic path of coronation processions, kings’ and princes’ receptions. This way foreign envoys and guests traveled to Wawel (we take an opposite direction). Grodzka Street leads us straight to the Main Market Square (please look at the Romanesque Andrew’s church and beautiful temple of St. Peter and Paul).
5. Main Market Square – in this unusual place, where the ‘heart of Krakow’ beats, we’ll stay for a long time. According to many sources it’s the largest and the biggest medieval square in Europe! Younger children will probably be interested in a story about magical origins of a big flock of pigeons (they’re here till today). They also learn about famous Lajkonik who enters the market square every year. Adults perhaps will want to listen about everyday life in former Krakow and important historical events that took place here.

• The Town Hall tower and the Cloth Hall – we will have also the opportunity to admire two most important buildings of the city and think about they functions in the past centuries. Our guide will explain why only the tower of the Town Hall stands till today. The Cloth Hall is a true precious of the city. Do you want to know how it looked like in the Middle Ages and who changed it in a Renaissance way (this beautiful attics!). Are You interested in what’s inside? No problem for our guides.
• St. Mary’s church – before visiting the basilica You should hear the story about “Yellow shoe” found behind the Altar of Veit Stoss and the other one about two brothers who competed with each other by building two church towers (it explains why they are different heights). It’s reasonable to tell older children a little more about the history of the church and its importance in the life of the city. Inside the temple, it’s obligatory to see the main altar by Veit Stoss, Neo-Gothic frescos, stained-glass windows and Renaissance sculpture which makes a great impression on tourists of all ages!

6. St. Florian’s Gate and the Barbican – we and our Krakow for children tour walking down the Florianska Street to the main gate of the city. Admiring the remains of the medieval walls is a real pleasure. We go through the 14th-century St. Florian’s Gate which welcomed Polish kings and foreign distinguished guests. We will see built in the 15^th century, once surrounded by a moat Barbican – one of the symbols of Krakow.

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1. A good plan is essential but do not go overboard with the amount of attractions!

Within two days, You can experience many historical attractions in Krakow but certainly not all of them! Planning a weekend in Krakow think about what you really want to see and precise the program of sightseeing. If this is your first stay in the city read our Trip to Krakow. How to plan a tour of the 1000 year old city of a 1000 monuments? We also invite You to take advantage of our guide services (we will be happy to assist you in preparing Your itinerary).

2. Take care of booking comfortable accommodation!

This is an absolutely fundamental issue. Of course, each of us has their own idea of comfort. Find a place where you and your family or friends will be able to relax after an eventful day or… evening. Sunday will be successful if you keep a good condition after Saturday!

3. Plan your meals!

There is no point in wasting Your time on a frantic search for appropriate catering during the sightseeing. Do some research in Krakow gastronomy (we remind You timidly about our catering knowledge and promotional lunch packages) and then head straight your choices. It is of course a huge possibility that You may be charmed by some climate restaurant on Your way! Well, spontaneous decisions also tend to be good.

4. Think of a relaxing evening

Weekend in Krakow is a unique opportunity to spend a wonderful evening in a city that does not sleep! Select a location for a delightful walk (we  highly recommend Kazimierz district and the Vistula Boulevards). Find a place where You can sit comfortably and have a dinner, a glass of wine or a few beers and see section below …

5. Remember about making reservations!

Krakow as a destination for the weekend is a splendid idea, but do not forget that you are going to share it with thousands of other tourists. Booking an accommodation is an absolute basis, however booking a table in a pub or restaurant is also a good idea. Think as well about prior reservation of tickets in some museums (the Wawel Castle, the Underground of the Market Square, Schindler’s Factory).

6. Krakow weekend breaks – three profiled suggestions:

DearLovers, have you chosenKrakowfor the weekend? We highly recommend You to visitparticularlyromantic places! How about awalk through the Bernatka footbridge lovers bridge which connects Kazimierz and Podgórze (Polish lovers’ Brodge). Or maybe a horse carriage ride through the Old Town?

Dear Parents, planning a weekendin Krakow think of some uniqueattractions forMaybeSaturday inthe Old Town (we can offer a special option of exploring the city: Krakow with kids!) and a Sunday walk in Kazimierz or a trip to Wolski Forest and Park Zoo or even the exploration of the Park ‘Villages of the World’?

6. Dear Funs of Active Recreation, consider the idea of exploring Krakow by bicycle!

L’article Krakow weekend breaks est apparu en premier sur Zwiedzanie Krakowa.

Jewish district Krakow – Kazimierz never sleeps!

Bustle in the gardens of cafes and pubs can be heard till midnight. You can taste here all cuisines of the world in an outstanding edition. Moreover there is no chance to find two similar pubs, because owners take care of the unique atmosphere and original decor. As a result You can meet here many famous artists, poets, writers, musicians and a huge crowd of tourist, students and slackers. It is impossible not falling in love with this climate!

Walking throug Kazimierz jewish district Krakow, it is always good to look around –walls of neglected buildings blossoms recently with extraordinary murals. It seems that this area is one of the favorite places of Polish and foreign Street-Art designers. Their projects often refer to the Jewishness of Kazimierz, emphasizing the close relationship between the past and the present, such as mural presenting the Lion of Judah – the symbol of Israel painted by outstanding Israeli artist Pil Peled on the wall of a building located at the corner of Wąska and St. Lawrence Street. Also the mural painted on the facade of the Jewish Museum Galicia by Marcin Wierzchowski has its unique significance. It refers to the traditional Jewish paper cutouts and shows the continuity between the old tradition of the Jewish Diaspora and modern Israel (the symbol of tradition here is seven-branched candlestick – menorah).

Events such as the annual Festival of Jewish Culture with its great final concert ‘Shalom on Szeroka Street’ and many smaller exhibitions, concerts and workshops organized in clubs, art galleries and galerio-cafes (a phenomenon of Kazimierz) gathered in Kaziemierz crowds of people, often from around the world.

It is good to remember, that there are several very interesting museums in Kazimierz. First of all, Galicia Jewish Museum has always offered various temporary exhibitions and great permanent exhibition called “Traces of Memory” with excellent photographs by Chris Schwartz. We recommend You also visiting the Ethnographic Museum, which possess extremely interesting collection of folk art, everyday objects and historic costumes. Last but not least, there is the Museum of Municipal Engineering situated in the old tram depot on St. Lawrence Street. Meeting the ancient technology exhibition can be a fantastic adventure for the whole family.

Kraków Guide offers You Krakow guided tour around the Kazimierz jewish district Krakow (http://luab.org/en/kazimierz-jewish-district/). But if you want to explore this area through eyes of polish and foreign contemporary artist, chose our Street-Art tour!

L’article Artists, pubs and nuts – Kazimierz nowadays est apparu en premier sur Zwiedzanie Krakowa.

Place

Vavelsky Pub is placed in the best possible location. If you’re looking for something around the Main Square, you’ve come to the right place. Just 3 minutes is enough to get from the biggest city square in Europe to the pub chambers and get carried away by party atmosphere. The place is full of music and positive vibes of people who visit it. Stuff are, on the one hand,  skillful professionals in their bartending profession, and on the other, friendly, focused on the needs of visiting people who are willing to advise, help and make your stay in the restaurant more enjoyable. If you stop by here in the summer season, you will find an atmospheric garden with a grill and an outdoor stage and also comfortable places to sit will wait for you and your friends. During winter evenings, it is worth to come inside, to the interiors hidden in mysterious basements, which are waiting for you and offer many opportunities for spend a good time.

Attractions at Mr. Vavelsky Krakow Bar

You will find many attractions at Vavelsky Krakow bar. Cyclical and occasional events take place here, also celebration of interesting sporting events, as well as music concerts and evenings with stand-ups or theater spectacles. You have the opportunity to listen a live concerts from the stage inside the Krakow bar and, in the summer, in the garden outside. Both places have a lot of positive vibes and you can easily get carried away by the atmosphere of the concert. A cyclical and very popular events are pubquizes, where you can show your knowledge of many fields and topics and other, thematic, in which they will check how good you know movies, series, including many popular ones such as Star Wars, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter or The Witcher. Quizzes are in Polish and English languages, so guests from all over the world can participate. Attractive prizes await the winners. In the bar, we can also cheer and give support to our teams in many sports: football, basketball, volleyball, speedway, rugby and others. If you like theater or stand-up performances, you can also book a nice evening at Vavelsky pub for this type of activity. What else? You will also find speed dating, other party and card games. Pub is a pit stop for the popular Pub Crawl, which proves  popularity of this place and gives you the opportunity to meet new people. An interesting proposition are also computer courses in which you can learn, how to operate graphic sofware and others. In addition you have magical, fire, vodka-tasting shows, big variety of traditional drinks, snacks and a grill with a wide range of barbecue meals in the summer. The atmosphere in the pub, both within its inside and in the garden is conducive to relaxation and getting away from everyday life even for a moment.

The best thing – Karaoke

Of course, the pub’s calling card is karaoke. If you like singing, just call at Vavelsky. Seven days a week – from Monday to Sunday – you’ll be able to try your hand at the microphone. Don’t resist, like in Polish song: “everyone can sing, one better, the other a little worse, but this is not the point …”, it’s about having fun with colleagues, friends and family after all. Maybe with your deep baritone voice, like Elvis Presley, you will charm some beautiful, mysterious lady or an angel soprano you will attract a handsome man. The party in Vavelsky is always patronized by the legendary resident of the pub, and that’s why it is the only “Dragon Krakow karaoke” in Krakow. The dragon hanging overhead gives all guests courage and therefore they can break the primary shyness and get carried away by the music. Everything is also supervised by a DJ who, with his professional equipment and sound system, supports all your attempts at the microphone. He is another professional, who will find your favorite songs in his resources, thanks to which you will be able to charm the whole audience.

Often during karaoke people will discover their talent for singing. This could be the beginning of a further career on the stage. Vocal performances mean that the atmosphere during these events is chill-out and full of fun, so you can easily make new friends. Often a solo performance turns into a duet with someone you just have met. Sometimes the audience becomes your singing chorus.
Karaoke is also a great idea for integrating your work team. Plan a business party in the pub, singing will break all the barriers between your employees. For a long time they will remember the stage performances of their colleagues from work, certainly until the next party, because for many of them the first visit will quickly turn into a positive habit to be karaoke hero, because as I mentioned, the pub is open to new vocal talents every day.
Mr. Vavelsky Pub is the perfect place for a birthday party, hen party or stag night. A wide range of events and a great atmosphere is its main showcase. Please come and  visit, see for yourself, try your hand at the stage and you will certainly not regret it.

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Krakow in 3 days is not much time, but with a perfect organization you can really see a lot! We offer a Krakow 3-day tour plan. The main points are:

1. Old Town and Wawel Hill
2. Kazimierz, Podgórze, Zabłocie
3. Something special

Let’s move on to discuss the details!

Day 1: The Old Town and Wawel Hill

We start from the very center of Krakow. On the first day you can see the place where more than 1,000 more years ago the city was born. The optimal solution seems to walk the Royal Route to the Wawel Castle or overcome this route in the opposite direction – from Wawel Castle to the St. Florian’s Church at Kleparz. The second solution is more reasonable, because we start our tour from the Wawel Hill, the place of the earliest settlement in Krakow area.

Wawel Hill – you have to decide, what exactly among the numerous attractions and wonders that the Cathedral and Wawel Castle offer, you want to see. Basic sightseeing program includes the entrance to the Cathedral and walk through the arcaded courtyard of the Castle. All these attractions are for free. But a ticket allowing to visit all the places in the Cathedral (including the crypts and the tower with the famous Zygmunt Bell) is certainly worth buying. We also recommend you choosing any of museum exhibitions in Wawel Castle. Reading the itinerary of our Wawel Hill tour and our article dedicated to Wawel sightseeing probably will be helpful. Always remember of booking the entrance tickets!

Kanonicza and Grodzka Streets – Kanonicza Street (once inhabited by Cathedral canons) has amazing Gothic and Renaissance houses with old walls, portals, windows, ceilings etc. What is more, there are two museums presenting the magnificent monuments of sacred art – Archdiocesan Museum (in the buildings where John Paul II lived for 10 years) and the department of National Museum in Krakow in the Palace of Bishop Erasmus Ciolek. Fans of ancient art should consider a visit to the nearby Archeological Museum with fantastic exhibition of settlement in prehistoric Lesser Poland. In Grodzka Street (passage from Kanonicza through Mary Magdalen Square), we recommend visiting the Romanesque St. Andrew church and magnificent church of SS. Peter and Paul, the first baroque temple in Krakow.

All Saints Square – we encourage you to visit two great basilicas – the Dominicans and the Franciscans churches, whose interiors hide many wonders (read more about them in our texts on Krakowpedia and routes descriptions). In front of the Franciscans Basilica (decorated with magnificent stained glass windows by Stanislaw Wyspiański) is the Bishop’s Palace with the famous papal window.

University Quarter – a worth seeing place on the way to the Market Square is the University District. Enter the courtyard of Collegium Maius the oldest building of the Jagiellonian University – and, if it possible, look at the University church of St. Anne, one of the most beautiful Baroque churches in the city.

Market Square – at the Market look at former Town Hall Tower, St. Mary’s Church with its famous altar carved by master Veit Stoss and the Cloth Hall. We encourage you to visit two museums located at the market square – Polish Paintings Gallery in the Cloth Hall and the Underground Market.

Florian’s Gate and the Barbican – tour ends with a beautiful walk along the Florianska Street and passing through the gate of the same name to the famous Krakow Barbican. To see all the Royal Route go also to the nearby Matejko Square with beautiful church of St. Florian, a place where once burghers greeted Polish kings returning to the city.

To get better the monuments located on this route read our other entries: “Royal Route”, “Wawel Hill,” “University quartier” and numerous tips on how to explore the Castle and various objects in the Old Town, which have been published so far on the Krakowpedia!

Day 2: Kazimierz, Podgorze and Zablocie

Second day considers exploring on the one hand great monuments of Kazimierz district, and on the other knowing better everyday life of Krakow’s Jews during World War II.

Pauline Monastery and the Church “On The Rock” – our tour starts on the Vistula riverbank (of course, as in the previous route, this can be done in both ways as well, depending on how it is convenient to you). We encourage you to visit the magnificent, Baroque church and walk through the monastery garden. Do not forget to drink “holy” water from St. Stanislaus pool and visit the Crypt of the Meritorious Poles!

St. Catherine and Corpus Christi churches – there are two stunning, Gothic basilicas build by the king Casimir the Great in our itinerary. Among them you will see a part of the former city market square with the town hall – a picturesque Wolnica Square.

Jewish quarter – walk through wonderful, picturesque streets of the Jewish quarter and admire the seven synagogues built in the period from the 15th to the 19th century. Stay for a while in Szeroka Street and visit the Old Synagogue (the oldest synagogue in Kazimierz) with an excellent exhibition dedicated to Jewish culture and religion.

Podgorze: Market Square, Krak Mound and Ghetto Heroes Square – from Kazimierz you can easily get to the Podgorze district, eg. walking across the Bernatka Footbridge. It is good to start sightseeing from the Podgorski Market with huge, Neo-Gothic St. Joseph church, then go through the Bednarski Park and Lasota Hill to the Mound of Krak, legendary ruler of the city. Here you will be welcomed by a great view of Krakow, worth this little effort that you have spent on climbing. Visit to the ancient mound introduces us to the matter of … World War II, because we can see the “Lebanon Quarry”, which has a very creepy, war history. During the Nazi Occupation, quarry functioned as a forced labor camp also for Plaszow Concentration Camp prisoners (Steven Spielberg shoot here his “Schindler’s list”). Going back to the Podgorze, the last stop is in the Ghetto Heroes Square, an important memorial place dedicated to victims of Krakow Ghetto liquidation. You can also visit the Under the Eagle Pharmacy, whose owner Józef Pankiewicz and his employers helped Jews, imprisoned behind the Ghetto walls.

‘Emalia’ Oscar Schindler’s Factory– we finish the second day of our tour with a visit to one of the most interesting museums in Krakow located in a former enamel factory, run by Oscar Schindler (walking through all the ‘Krakow under Nazi Occupation 1939-1945’ exhibition takes approx. 3 hours).

If you want to know more about the objects on the route, read a description of our ‘Kazimierz – Jewish district’ tour and texts on Krakowpedia.

Day 3 – special attractions – Krakow in 3 days!

During the first two days of sightseeing, routes includes so-called “obligatory points” (especially when you are in Krakow for the first time), but the list of beautiful and important places in the city and the surrounding area is much more longer! Then we propose you to spend your third day of sightseeing on an expedition that specifically reflect your tastes and interests. We have a few suggestions to choose from!

Long trip – we encourage you to go around Krakow, where you will be delighted by the magnificent scenery and unusual sights. Particularly recommendable are in our opinion: Ojców National Park, Wieliczka Salt Mine, the Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec or the slightly more distant Kalwaria Zebrzydowska. Consider also your visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum.

Nowa Huta – a good idea to spend a third day in Krakow is exploring Nowa Huta. Read the entry of the “Nowa Huta” route, and you will see that there is a huge number of remarkable objects which can provide incredible emotions.

Churches and Sanctuaries – if you are interested in the religious life of Krakow or in sacred art visit famous sanctuaries, like the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Łagiewniki or places associate with John Paul II.

Museums – try to visit other interesting exhibitions from a huge Krakow museum offer. Aviation Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art “MOCAK”, Matejko House, Main Building of the National Museum – this are only a few suggestions.

Recreation – finally something for your bodies, recommended for those who like walking tours. It is really good to consider, especially if you are visiting Krakow with kids. A great idea to spend some time in far from the city is a trip to Wolski Forest combined with a climbing to the Pilsudski Mound and visit to the Krakow Zoo. Then you can walk to Bielany, where at the Silver Mountain stands the magnificent Camaldolese Monastery.

As you can see, a 3 day trip to Krakow gives you a possibility to enjoy many attractions. Our plan is recommended for both, individual tourists and groups. In the implementation of each of the points can help you a professional guide from Krakow Guide. It is a comfortable solution worth considering!

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Wawel hill sightseeing – permanent exhibitions available all over the year:

• Royal Chambers – intendant’s room on the ground floor and representative rooms on the second floor, eg. Senator’s room, Under the Eagle room, Tournament room, Deputies’ room and Royal Chapel.
• Royal Apartments – tour through the first floor where royal private chambers were established in the 16th century.
• Crown Treasury and Armory – a place with many valuable objects. You can see famous royal sword so-called ‘Szczerbiec’ (‘the jagged’).
• Oriental Art – this exhibition shows the influence of Turkish art on Polish nobles due to politics and business contacts.
• Lost Wawel – archaeological and architectural reserve and lapidary.

Seasonal routes on Wawel Hill (closed in winter):

• Dragon’s Den – 80 meters of winding corridors, related to the alleged presence of the mythical Wawel’s Dragon.
• Sandomirian Tower – known also as the fire tower.
• Castle gardens

You cannot miss the Royal Cathedral, place of worship of St. Stanislaus. You can see here:

• Chapels: of Vasa and Potocki family, Chapel of the Holy Cross, and of Queen Sophia
• Cathedral Museum with a huge collection of religious art
• Sigismund Bell
• Royal Tombs
• Tombs of Marshal Joseph Piłsudski and President Jarosław Karczyński

This place will take your breath away. It is visited by over a million tourists every yera! In 1978 Wawel Cathedral became a member of the UNESCO World Heritage Program.

It is good to combine Wawel Hill sightseeing with the Royal Route to learn a lot about the history of Poland and Polish monarchs. The tour includes Barbican, St. Mary’s Church, Cloth Hall, Grodzka St. with its beautiful churches, and Kanonicza St.

L’article Visiting Polish Kings – Wawel Hill Sightseeing est apparu en premier sur Zwiedzanie Krakowa.

Guide service for foreign tourists

Tourism is a pleasure combined with fun of discovering extraordinary places, learning great stories and meeting new people. Good guide allows us to appreciate many aspects of unknown reality that we often miss during alone expeditions. Well organized tour provides safeness (we certainly will not get lost), good plan (duration of all visits will be properly assessed) and of course, entertainment (after all, the guide should have a sense of humor, energy, and be an excellent storyteller!). But where to find the one that will  be able to accomplish all of these points? Well, we encourage you to use the services of our company!

Krakow guide in Russian

All of our guides have solid knowledge of the city and can boast an appropriate license. They are are selected for special advantages of character (open-minded, empathy, sense of humor, gift of storytelling), and after recommendations of satisfied visitors (check our portfolio necessarily!). Working with foreign tourists, however, it requires additional competencies, most of all language. Krakow Guide offers guided tours in English, German, Swedish, French, Italian and Spanish, and of course in Russian! Our excellent guides Yulia and Bozena speaks language of Pushkin very well, always trying to introduce interesting nuances of local history and culture (we guarantee great fun and amazing adventure!). As far as we know tourists from Russia, they always appreciate fine cuisine. That is why we cooperate with the best restaurants in Krakow offering our guests delicious dinners!

Which route to choose?

We have prepared more than 20 sightseeing routes. These include trips to the most interesting museums in Krakow (Underground Market, Schindler’s Factory), the Old Town, Kazimierz, Podgórze, but also the suburbs (Tyniec) and city sourroundings (Ojców National Park, Wieliczka Salt Mine, Auschwitz-Birkenau Camp, Wadowice or Sanctuary in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska). What is more, we offer guided sightseeing by horse drawn carrieges, electric cars, Partybus, segways and of course walking tours. Please, familiarize yourself with our offer and select a route consistent with yours needs. All of our itineraries can be modified and adapted to your own schedule.

As the today’s pots is about Krakow guide in Russian, we would like to pay your attention to the route that may particularly fit with our guests from Russia or generally from abroad. Let us assume that they want to learn as much as possible about the city in short period of time (especially when they are going to Polish mountains and stop in Krakow just for a while). We think that the route Krakow in a nutshell will be perfect – we have created it for situations just like this one! During the tour, tourists will learn a bit about greatest wonders of Krakow. The route runs through the Old Town, Wawel Hill and Kazimierz, and includes the most beautiful places and objects. If you decide to explore the city by electric car, it is possible to extend the route. We encourage you to consult with Martha, our excellent Organization Manager (bookmark ‘contact’). We also remind you that organizational assistance (including accommodation) is on us. So see you in Krakow!

L’article Krakow Guide in Russian – How to Organize a Fantastic Tour? est apparu en premier sur Zwiedzanie Krakowa.

At the beginning, we would like to say that in Krakow almost everything could be visited for free! The key to success is, as usual, a good plan.

Krakow sightseeing for free or where can You enter without a ticket?

Entrance to Wawel Hill and the Cathedral is for free. You need a ticket to see Royal tombs in crypts and the Sigismund Bell, but it is not expensive and in fact worth every penny! Absolutely for free You can also visit the famous Renaissance courtyard of the Wawel Castle.

If you like cityscapes, we encourage You to visit Krakow’s mounds to see the greatest views of the city. Although entrance to Kosciuszko Mound is paid, but to the mounds of Krak and Pilsudski You can get totally for free! Also huge bell tower in Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki with a beautiful Krakow panorama is available only for a penny.

Admiring attractions of Nowa Huta, walking through the Wolski Forest or Vistula boulevards, visiting memorials in the former Jewish Ghetto and unusual sights of Podgorze – in Krakow, You can do a lot of things without spending money!

Museums for free

If you think that to explore the most interesting museum exhibitions in Krakow You have to spend a fortune, You are wrong! Each of the Krakow museums offers free admission to permanent exhibitions in one day a week. So it is important to chose earlier exposures which you are especially interested in and have made bookings in advance. It is absolutely necessary to book tickets to the most popular museums such as Wawel Castle, Underground of the Main Market Square and Oscar Schindler’s Factory!

Below, You can read a list of museums offering free admission to permanent exhibitions on different days of the week.

Sunday – Departments of the National Museum in Krakow: The Main Building, The Sukiennice Gallery, The Erazm Ciołek Palace, ‘Europeum’ with an excellento collection of European Paintings and Sculpture, The Czapski Museum (You can see there dazzling numismatic and bibliophile collections of Emeryk Hutten-Czapski), The Matejko House, The Mehoffer House; Archaeological Museum – the main building and deputies; Polish “Home Army” Museum (it is dedicated to the Polish combat underground during World War II), Wawel Castle (some of royal apartments): from November 2 to 31 March (an offer only for individual travelers).

Monday – Departments of the Historical Museum of the City Krakow: The Old Synagogue, The Eagle Pharmacy, Oskar Schindler’s Factory, Archaeological Museum – remains of St. Adalbertus church in the Main Market Square, Wawel Castle: from April 1 to October 31 (an offer only for individual tourists).

Tuesday – Departments of the Historical Museum of the city of Krakow: the Krzysztofory Palace (the main building of the institution), Rynek Underground (the exhibition under the Main Market Square), Celestat (the residence of Krakow Marksmen Guild), Pomorska Street (the exhibition ‘People of Kraków in Times of Terror 1939-1945-1956’); Polish Aviation Museum, Museum of Municipal Engineering (except the interactive exhibition ‘Around the wheel’; children under 7 years of age and people over the age of 70 always enters to the museum for free); Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology.

Wednesday – Departments of the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow: The Hipolit House and The History of Nowa Huta Quarter.

We also remind that the Wawel Castle once again participates in an Free November action (!), when four royal residences in Poland are wide open (including three in Warsaw – The Royal Castle, The Royal Łazienki Museum and Museum of King Jan III’s Palace in Wilanow). In Nowvember, You have a unique opportunity to explore the Wawel Royal Castle absolutely for free!

Krakow sightseeing for free – do not worry, it is absolutely possible to organize!

L’article Krakow sightseeing for free? Yes, it is possible! est apparu en premier sur Zwiedzanie Krakowa.

Brief history of the parish temple

This stunning basilica dominates over the Main Market Square for centuries. Do You know how many? Its consecration took place in 1320, the same year when Ladislaus the Short, Polish prince from the Piast dynasty was crowned in the Wawel Catherdal (now You can see – the year 1320 is a very  important date in Krakow and Polish history!).

If You read our article about the Underground Museum under the Main Market Square, then You should know very well that this area was settled long time before the St. Mary’s church was built. First Romanesque temple was destroyed and surrounding houses were burnt during the Tatar invasion in 1242. After the Krakow location at the German Law in 1257, new markets and streets of today’s Old Town were delineated with the St. Mary’s church as the city parish temple. Its construction started at the end of the 13^th century, and despite the consecration, lasted for more than hundred years, until in the middle of the 15^th century temple gained its present appearance with two unequal towers (higher has a specific, polygonal helmet).

In the late Baroque era Gothic elements of the church interior were exchanged for modern ones (18^th-century altars, paintings and sculpture), the crown on the tower helmet has appeared as well as the entrance porch. After next hundred years, in the second half of 19^th century, local architects and historians started some conservation activities in the church. They tried to preserve Gothic details, Renaissance tabernacle and choir stalls and many early modern epitaphs from family chapels. Meanwhile, walls of the temple were covered with wonderful Neo-Gothic frescos designed by Jan Matejko (in participation with Stanislaus Wyspianski and Jan Mehoffer). During sightseeing, You should pay attention to this artistic diversity, because it is a real journey through centuries!

Extraordinary masterpiece and the extraordinary story of the Nuremberg woodcarver

Of course, visiting Krakow St Mary’s Church usually culminates in front of a giant Gothic altarpiece by Veit Stoss, one of the finest wooden altars in the world. How did it happen that it was founded in Krakow? Veit Stoss came to the city from Nuremberg with his wife Barbara in 1477. He was less than 30 years old when he took a commission for the main altar in St. Mary’s church. The altar become the work of his life. Stoss spent next nineteen years in Krakow, working over royal and episcopal orders. In the city parish church You can see also the crucifix carved by Stoss. Figure of the crucified Christ presents features so typical for Stoss’s workshop – an amazing combination of naturalism, expression and mysticism. Besides the mentioned Assumption of Holy Virgin altar, his second most famous masterpiece is probably extremely touching royal tomb of King Casimir IV Jagiellon in Wawel Cathedral. Stoss settled in Kracow so deep that his son was named Stanislaus, after the saint patron of Polish kingdom! Unfortunately in the last decade of the 15th century this respectable and well-known woodcarver had to flee to Nuremberg, because he got into some trouble. Stoss lend a large sum of money to some guy without any receipt and after some time he was unable to withdraw it, so in an act of desperation he forged IOU in front on the city council and …. was exposed. Moreover, in the Middle Ages, this kind of fraud was very heavy punished – by death or burning eyes. Stoss managed to avoid these, but the city executioner burned on his both cheeks a stigma with red-hot iron.

The great altar of the Assumption of Holy Virgin Mary is a pentaptych – an altarpiece composed of 5 parts – the central one and two pairs of wings. It astonishes with extremely precise details with more than 200 carved figures. We can admire the altar only from a short distance, without realizing its actual size (the most impressive figures in the middle part are high at over 2.7 m!). It seems that during creating particular scenes shown in the altar Stoss was inspired by the appearance of Krakow burghers, people he had seen on the street, students and beggars, or perhaps employees of his workshop. Did you know that after some analysis of anatomical forms depicted in the altar, historians started research on the vulnerability of Krakow inhabitants to various diseases, like gangrene, leprosy and even syphilis?

On the accuracy of carved figures influenced mainly soft, lime wood, which the altar is made of. Its central part shows the scene of the Dormition of the Mother of God. After closing the altar cabinet we can see a twelve scenes from the life of Mary and Jesus, with the fantastic Tree of Jesse in the predella (altar’s base). The final scene of the Coronation of the Virgin Mary accompanied by St. Stanislaus and St. Adalbertus takes place at the top of the altar. It is really worth contemplating and admiring. Eh … visiting Krakow St. Mary’s Church is a truly unique experience!

Visiting Krakow St. Mary’s Church – some practical information

You can be accessed free of charge through the main entrance (by the Baroque porch) for prayer only. Using this option, you will not have the chance to reach the choir and see the main Gothic altar of Veit Stoss. To approach it You must purchase a ticket at the office on the right side of basilica (just cross the Square of St. Mary’s with famous fountain). Reduced ticket price is 5 zł (discount entitled to schoolchildren, students and pensioners), and the normal entrance costs 10 zł. We have no doubt that visiting St. Mary’s church is worth every penny! The temple is open on weekdays from 11.30 to 18.00 but the grand opening of the altar takes place at 11.50. If you want to see all the scenes carved by Stoss, come just before this time and stay till 12.00. On holidays and Sundays, the church is open to visitors from 14 to evening Mass, which is at 18.

During the tourist season (April-October), on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 9.10 to 17.40, visiting Krakow St. Mary’s Church can be extended by the entrance to the tower. Tickets (18/10 zł) can be purchased at the mentioned box office at St. Mary’s Square. The satisfaction of overcoming such a number of steps is really nice and the view of Krakow Old Town is stunning!

Visiting St. Mary’s Church with a guide is also an important point of many of our routes, including the most popular – the Royal Route. You want to hear more amazing stories about St. Mary’s Basilica? Join us then!

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