From the uncontournable historic centre to the old Jewish art and bohemian quarter, passing through a neighbourhood to the heavy past, the Krakow neighbourhoods have something to offer for all tastes!
Krakow is divided into 18 districts and each of them stands out by a different architecture and atmosphere. Among the most important and interesting areas to visit in Krakow are Stare Miasto, Kazimierz, Podgorze and Nowa Huta.
It should be noted that all of these areas can be visited on foot and are accessible by tram . Here are the essential areas to discover during your visit to Krakow.
The Old Town (Stare Miasto)
Inside the Sukiennice, the « Halle aux Draps » – Photo credit: Flickr – Karl Reif
Stare Miasto (Veille Ville) is one of the official districts of Krakow and also includes the Kazimierz district. However, when the premises speak of the old city, they very often want to talk about the part of Krakow which is located inside the city walls. The center of this neighborhood is the place of the main market in Krakow ( Rynek ) that is one of the symbols of the city. The main streets of the neighborhood (such as Florianska, Sienna or Grodzka) extend to the walls that are surrounded by the Planty Park, the green belt of the historic centre. Wawel hill adjacent to the old town on the side where the ramparts were completely destroyed. The neighborhood is probably the most famous and most visited by tourists who come to Krakow, because it contains all the most important monuments.
Kazimierz
People taste zapiekanki on Plac Nowy – Photo credit: Wikimedia - Kpalion
Kazimierz was once an independent city of Krakow. Christians and Jews coexisted in Kazimierz despite differences in religion, culture and language. But it is the most flourishing Jewish community: up to 7 synagogues will be built in the neighborhood. This neighborhood, which was still not long ago one of the poorest and most damaged in all Krakow, is now one of the most vogue and favorite places of the inhabitants and tourists.
Many cafes and pubs are quite different from those in the old town, and there are plenty of people around the new square ( Plac nowy in Polish). Candle-lit cafés and bars offer a drink in a cozy atmosphere and let a warm and melancholic atmosphere be planted. Klezmer music can be heard in Jewish restaurants and the chip market open every Sunday on Plac nowy is a "must". Don't miss tasting zapiekanki street food from the corner. Old merchant houses, some of which are still not restored, add to the atmosphere of the place. Not to mention the street art that is very present here.
Podgórze
Photo credit: Flickr – Jacek
Podgórze is located near Kazimierz (on the other bank of the Vistula River). Its main part is Rynek Podgorski (place of the market of Podgorze) with the beautiful church of St Joseph in neo-Gothic style. During the Second World War, Podgorze was transformed into ghetto, where some 15,000 Jews were gathered before being deported to ghettos. concentration camps . Today, there is practically no vestige of this fact of history, apart from two pieces of the ghetto wall hidden in the buildings. In the Podgorze district, we can visit Oskar Schindler’s factory who saved the lives of many ghetto citizens and his story was brought to the screen by Steven Spielberg. Moreover, scenes of the film were shot at the scenes of the Plaszow work camps , some of which still exist. An interesting place to see is the place of the Heroes of the Ghetto ( Plac Bohaterów Getta ), where sculptures are found representing chairs left by Jews transported in concentration camps.
Nowa Huta
Photo credit: Flickr – Ann Baekken
Nowa Huta was built after the Second World War as a city for the workers (mainly hired in the metallurgical factory). With its industrial friches, its socialist and monumental architecture, it pays tribute to the communist regime. The main part of the neighborhood is the central square ( Plac Centralny ), but many tourists come there to see the metallurgical plant of Sendzimir. The neighbourhood is experiencing a slight revival thanks to the efforts of its citizens to promote Nowa Huta by offering tourist routes and visits to the neighborhood . But the area remains especially interesting for its monumental architecture, but also some curiosities like the small village of Mogiła, where we find the surprising St Barthélémy church and the Cistercian abbey.
Łagiewniki
Photo credit: Flickr – Piotr Drabik
The Łagiewniki district is located outside the centre of Krakow (on the road) Zakopane ). The place became popular especially with pilgrims who visit the sanctuary of Divine Mercy built there as a tribute to a nun called Faustyna. The former Neo-Gothic monastery located there is where she spent her life having visions of Jesus Christ pointing mercy to the world. The new sanctuary contains many chapels while those who are interested in the life of Saint Faustine can still visit places where she lived.
Main photo credit: Flickr – Alberto Cabello
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