Welcome to Krakow

 

Krakow is a city wrapped in legend, where time flows differently, and where every moment becomes a moment of history. For centuries Krakow was the capital of Poland, the seat of kings, drawing great scholars and artists from the whole world. It is their talents and imagination we must thank for the city's rich legacy of unique historical relics, which reflect the most important trends in European culture.

 

Main attractions:

Wawel Castle – www.wawel.krakow.pl

The Wawel castle functioned as the residence of the Polish rulers from the mid-11th to the early 17th century. The present structure incorporates Romanesque fragments and considerable Gothic parts, but it acquired its present form mainly in the period c. 1504-1535, during the reign of the kings Alexander (1501-1506) and Sigismund I the Old (1506-1548) of the Jagiellonian dynasty.

 

The Florian Gate

It's a part of a section of the medieval walls and towers and it survived intact. It was built in the 14th century and its upper store was added in the 15th. Also it's low top with soft, flowing forms was not done until the Baroque period.

 

The Cloth Hall

For many centuries The Market Square was a large trading center and was covered with the network of stalls creating something like a trading village. The Cloth Hall - a large set of stalls was founded in the 13th century. Destroyed by fire it was rebuild in the Renaissance style. In the old times the cloth was sold in the hall on the ground floor, while various goods were offered on the floor above. Now you can buy souvenirs from Krakow, works of Polish artists, leather goods, silver jewellery and folk handicrafts. The upper floor houses the Gallery of Polish 19th Century Art

 

Town Hall

Town Hall Tower is the only remaining part of the medieval Town Hall, which was erected in 14th century and pulled down in the early 19th century. From the top of the tower visitors can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the Old Town. The tower houses a branch of the Krakow Historical Museum. Its vast cellars contain a theatre and a cafe.

 

St. Mary’s Church

The Mariacki church is the largest in Cracow, and, after Wawel, the most important place of worship in Poland. Built of red brick and with two towers of unequal height and form, it is not conventionally attractive. However, like many places in Krakow, it may well grow on you.

 

Synagogues of the Kazimierz

The 16th-century brick synagogue was built next to the 14th-century city walls at the south end of Szeroka street. Burnt in 1557, during the subsequent reconstruction it was given a Renaissance facelift evident in its outer shape, while the interior architecture has remained unmistakably Gothic.

 

The Czartoryski Museum - http://www.czartoryski.org/museum.htm

The Czartoryski Museum was founded in 1796 by Princess Izabela Czartoryska to preserve the Polish heritage in keeping with the Princess' motto: "The Past to the Future". The first objects in the so-called "Temple of Memory" were trophies commemorating the victory against the Turks at the siege of Vienna in 1683. The Museum also features historical artefacts from the looted treasures of the Wawel Cathedral, the Royal Castle and other objects donate by Polish Families.

Visits & Excursions

Worth to do and visit:

… discover the legend of the St. Mary’s Basilica, one of Krakow’s most-loved landmarks.

… take an amazing walk along the Royal Route

… visit the Czartoryski Museum

… stroll around the old Jewish quarter Kazimierz and afterwards enjoy a Jewish dinner and a concert at Klezmer House Restaurant

… explore the Europe’s largest Medieval market square (Rynek Glowny)

 

Excursions:

… experience the underground tour at the Wieliczka Mine (Unesco World Heritage)

… witness the horror of Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camp

… go and see The Sanctuary in Kalwaria (Unesco Heritage) and afterwards visit Wadowice – the birthplace of Pope John Paul

… book a full day excursion to the National Park and explore Zakopane and Tatra Mountains

… admire some amazing scenery as you float down the Dunajec River and visit Niedzica Castle in the Dunajec Valley

* We can also offer you: hotels, restaurants, transfers, guides, assistants, etc

 

* For prices please click here and/or contact us.

Welcome to Warsaw

 

Warsaw is Poland's capital and largest city. It has a high standard of living, complete with all the modern amenities for a satisfied citizen. The city of Warsaw is truly an unforgettable destination for tourists. With a fine location, Warsaw is blessed with the Vistula River flowing through the city. As the historical areas of Warsaw give air of it’s celebrated past, the developing plans and constructions of modern institutions mark Warsaw as one of the world's prime cities.

 

Main attractions:

The Royal Castle - www.zamek-krolewski.pl

The Royal Castle in Warsaw is a Cultural and Historical Monument of national importance. The Castle was reconstructed and together with the Old Town of Warsaw, has been added, to the UNESCO World National Heritage list.

 

The Old Town

Warsaw’s Old Town (Stare Miasto) is the historical center of Warsaw and the oldest part of town dating back to the 13th century. This was honoured by the UNESCO who in 1980 added the Warsaw Old Town to its list of World Heritage Sites. The Old Town is also a great place for purchasing souvenirs of Warsaw, as several souvenir stores are located here.

 

The King Sigismund’s Column

Sigismund's Column is a symbol of commemoration for King Zygmunt III Waza, who in 1596 made Warsaw the capital of Poland. It is one of Warsaw's well-known landmarks and is part of the cluster of historical structures that transform the Old Town into the culture-rich destination and an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

Warsaw Barbican

Warsaw's barbican is a major tourist attraction. The walls, passage and semicircular fortified outpost are some of the few remains from this complex historical formation encompassing Warsaw.

 

Gestapo Headquarters - www.holocaustresearchproject.org/nazioccupation/poland/pawaiak.html

Once the headquarter of the Nazi police,  the Gestapo, now is currently the home to the Ministry of Education, but from 1939 to 1945 it was the headquarters for the Nazi police, the Gestapo. There is a museum and exhibits on display which portray the horror of that time.

 

Lazienki Palace and Park

Lazienki is a park of area of 73ha which contains many tourist attractions. Present shape of the park comes from 18th century when Stanislaw August Poniatowski decided to lay it out as a formal garden. In same period of time, former bath pavilion was refashioned into a royal residence – Lazienki Palace on Water which now houses a museum. Park pulses with life all year round.

 

Palace of Science and Culture

The Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw is the tallest building in Poland, the seventh tallest building in the European Union, and the world's 187th tallest building at 237 metres. The building was originally known as the Joseph Stalin Palace of Culture and Science, but in the wake of destalinization the dedication was revoked; Stalin's name was removed from the interior lobby and one of the building's sculptures.

 

Nieborow

The complex of a palace and a park designed by Tylman of Gameren belongs to one of the most renowned Poland’s aristocratic residences. The complex consists of a palace, coach house, manufactory, outbuilding, orangery and two parks - a formal park and an English-style park. Tourists can admire the Temple of Diana, the park’s main attraction, and artificial ruins: the Temple of Archpriest, Roman Aqueduct, Gothic house, and built of rocks an artificial Grotto of Sibyl.

 

Opinogora

Everyone who wishes to experience Polish Romanticism will certainly like this charming little castle. This estate was owned by one of the greatest Polish national bards, count Zygmunt Krasi?ski, and it nowadays houses a Museum of the Romanticism.

Visits & Excursions

Worth to do and visit:

… visit the Holy Cross Church with the urn of Frederic Chopin

… visit the Wilanow Palace, the National Museum and the Palace of Culture and Science

… go to see the Lazienki Palace and the Orangery Park

… book a typical polish dinner with folklore program

… visit the Jewish quarter with Nozky synagogue, Grzbowski Square, the monument of the ghetto heroes and the Jewish cemetery

 

Excursions:

… go to Zelazowa Wola – the birthplace of Frederic Chopin and assist at one short concert

… on the way to Krakow it is a must to stop in Czestochowa and visit the Jasna Gora Abbey

… plan a stop in Lodz

… visit the Bialowieza National Park and the orthodox church in Hajnowka

… go and visit the Holy Mount of Grabarka – the most important Orthodox sanctuary in Poland

* We can also offer you: hotels, restaurants, transfers, guides, assistants, etc

 

 

* For prices please click here and/or contact us.