Sometimes the unexpected might prove to be a really pleasant surprise. I heard this statement some time ago and it came back to my mind during my latest travel experience. Who doesn’t like to be surprised in a pleasant way?
I must confess that I love this type of situations, because pleasant surprises bring along positive feelings such as gratitude, fulfillment and satisfaction.
To my great surprise, a lovely city in Europe managed to make me experience all these feelings mixed together. I am talking about Krakow, the second largest city in Poland. Also known as Cracow, this city is considered to be one of the most well-preserved old cities in Europe. Situated in southwestern Poland, more exactly in a region called Lesser Poland, Krakow impresses its tourists with a unique blend between Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture.
As you might have already guessed, I didn’t have high expectations of this city, when I planned my trip there. I chose to take a trip to Krakow just because I wanted to visit the famous Auschwitz and the city is not very far from this death camp.
Even if Krakow is not among the most famous cities in the world, it managed to seduce me with its beauty and its interesting tourist attractions. The beautiful Main Square hosts the Church of Saint Mary, the Cloth Hall, the Tower Hall, Saint Adalbert’s Church, Adam Mickiewicz’s Monument and an interesting sculpture called Eros Bendato. All these wonderful places embellish the lively Main Square with its abundance of cafes, restaurants and terraces. The atmosphere you will experience here is both vibrant and relaxing. It is a great feeling to laze in the middle of that fuss, on one of the terraces situated in this area.
Not far from the Main Square, you can find the interesting Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, which is the first Polish Baroque church.
Also situated in the central area, Wawel Hill hosts the imposing Wawel Cathedral and the interesting Royal Wawel Castle. This limestone hill will also offer you the chance to admire a panoramic view over the Vistula River, which is considered the hydrographic axis of Poland.
These are my favorite places in Krakow, but in my opinion this city has a lot more to offer. Give Krakow a chance and you won’t be disappointed! In case you ever get to Krakow, it’s important to know that the Auschwitz Memorial Museum is located at about 60 kilometers outside the city and it would be a pity not to visit both of them.
1. The beautiful Main Square
2.The Tower Hall
3.The Tower Hall&The Cloth Hall
4.The Cloth Hall
5.The Cloth Hall
6. The interesting Eros Bendato
7.The Church of Saint Mary
8.Lovely view in the Main Square
9. The Cloth Hall&Adam Mickiewicz’s Monument
10.Adam Mickiewicz’s Monument
11.Saint Adalbert’s Church
12.Saint Adalbert’s Church
13.The Church of Saint Mary&Adam Mickiewicz’s Monument
14.The Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul
15.The Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul
16.The Royal Wawel Castle
17.The Royal Wawel Castle
18.Vistula River
19.The courtyard of the Royal Wawel Castle
20.The lovely Wawel Cathedral
