Join us on a tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site, where you’ll step back in time to the Middle Ages and explore why Kraków was included on the very first UNESCO list.
We’ll guide you through the city’s legendary beginnings and its growth in the 15th and 16th centuries, a time when its streets were walked by Copernicus and the city was the heart of Europe, known as the “United States of Europe.” The lively streets were filled with a mix of languages, colorful clothes, exotic goods, and people from all over the world.
Though Kraków faced decline in the 17th and 18th centuries, it remained largely unchanged, holding on to its small, provincial charm. In the 19th century, cultural life revived, with artists like Jan Matejko and Stanisław Wyspiański leading the way. We’ll also explore the darker days of the 20th century when the city was occupied by Nazi forces and the Main Market Square was renamed Adolf Hitler Platz. During this time, Kraków also became home to a young man who would later change the fate of Poland—Karol Wojtyła, who became Pope John Paul II.
Kraków’s story, however, has a happy ending, and today’s city is one full of life, art, and rich history. Be prepared to experience all of Kraków’s charm as you see, touch, listen, smell, and taste your way through its streets. Every sense will be engaged in discovering this remarkable city!