Krakow Poland - The Florence of the North

Urbanista1 · July 27th, 2010, 05:24 PM

Old Town

Wawel Castle and Cathedral

Sukiennice - 13th Century Drapers' Hall (Home of Polish Paintings Collection of National Museum and Soon-to-be History of Krakow Museum underneath the square)

Urbanista1 · July 27th, 2010, 05:26 PM

Podgorze Neighbourhood

Schindler Factory

The Vistula

Kazimierz - The Old Jewish Community

Urbanista1 · July 27th, 2010, 05:29 PM

The cemetaries

Old Jewish Cemetary

Rakowicki Christian Cemetary - reminds me of Pere Lachaise

geoff189d · July 27th, 2010, 05:53 PM

Cracow looks lovely.

rychlik · July 27th, 2010, 11:56 PM

One of Europes most beautiful cities. New designs look great too.

Urbanista1 · July 28th, 2010, 12:51 AM

There are a lot of museums, stadiums and convention centres under construction in Krakow now that should provide some great examples of modern architecture.

kingsway · July 28th, 2010, 12:55 AM

nice city. beautiful set of photos of the cemetery.

***christos-greece*** · July 28th, 2010, 11:55 AM

Really good, very nice photos from Krakow, Poland

Adiks · July 28th, 2010, 12:38 PM

Great shots, fancy city! Just dont like the thread name. Krakow is just Krakow. I do get that it's been somehow influenced by southern style, but that would be it. The city remains oryginal and should not be named after another city (especially a less important one when it comes to historic importance).

Urbanista1 · July 28th, 2010, 03:50 PM

I do see your point. Krakow is very important in its own right and doesn't really need the reference. But since it is still somewhat unknown, I thought an evocative reference would encourage people to look in.

The city is over 1,000 years old, but the area has been inhabited for thousands of years. Its location on a natural north-south trade route at a break in the Carpathian mountain range helped make it important early on along with its microclimate, access to the Vistula and ideal topography for the construction of a fortress on Wawel Hill.

King Casimir the Great invited thousands of Italian architects and artisans during the early renaissance to design and build some of the beautiful edifices in the pictures.

The Historical Museum of the City of Krakow will be opening in Septmeber and should provide some amazing artifacts from the city's historic development that were unearthed under the main market square.

More pictures coming soon.....

Urbanista1 · July 29th, 2010, 03:43 AM

Since you liked my Krakow pics, here are some more...

Urbanista1 · July 29th, 2010, 03:50 AM

Urbanista1 · July 29th, 2010, 04:01 AM

The ubiguitous bagel wagons - bagels were invented in Krakow.

DocentX · July 30th, 2010, 01:04 AM

Did you visit something apart from Warsaw and Krakow?

BTW - it's good that you didn't stick only to the Old Town district

Urbanista1 · July 30th, 2010, 06:34 AM

Hi DocentX. Thanks for visiting. I also visited Czestochowa/Jasna Gora and Gdansk. Was hoping to visit Biecz and some interesting areas outside Krakow (besides the touristy ones like Pieskowa Skala and Wieliczka etc) but there wasn't enough time and I wanted to relax and really get to know Krakow. Next time, I would like to visit Torun and Elblag, since there appears to be a lot happening there. Are you in Krakow?

DocentX · July 30th, 2010, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbanista1

Hi DocentX. Thanks for visiting. I also visited Czestochowa/Jasna Gora and Gdansk. Was hoping to visit Biecz and some interesting areas outside Krakow (besides the touristy ones like Pieskowa Skala and Wieliczka etc) but there wasn't enough time and I wanted to relax and really get to know Krakow. Next time, I would like to visit Torun and Elblag, since there appears to be a lot happening there. Are you in Krakow?

Any pic from Gdansk?

So how did you like Poland? As far as I remember it was long time since your previous visit.

As regards to Krakow I usually visit the city a few times a year - it's close and convinient to get there from Warsaw

Urbanista1 · July 30th, 2010, 05:25 PM

I do haved pics of Gdansk, but it was rainy when I was there, so most are too grey to post, but still very nice. I liked Poland a lot, but I think people that work in hotels and the service industry in Krakow could a little friendlier and polite. Maybe they're used to getting hit on

Warsaw was actually friendlier. My last time in Poland was 2008 and then 1994. So, the change has been dramatic. I know some people of Polish background who have just moved to Poland to start a business and I might be considering it too - would be an adventure, I'm sure

Wielki Gmach · July 30th, 2010, 08:35 PM

i love this city

Urbanista1 · July 30th, 2010, 09:31 PM

There's nothing quite like it, but Florence would compare in beauty.

stevensp · July 31st, 2010, 11:35 AM

Hi...
I went to Kraków this week aswell,
it really is an amazing city with a great ambient... Nice nightlife.. chill city...
Cheap aswell (for west european people)!
Some of my pictures...

(typical bar there, communistic style a bit...)

Very close to auswitz which is important and interesting to see aswell...
Hope you all like the pictures...
Some edited (probably B&W-pics) very soon comin up in my gallery http://stevenspapen.carbonmade.com/

July 28th, 2010, 11:55 AM	#8
*christos-greece* Moderator! Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 73,694 Likes (Received): 3328	Really good, very nice photos from Krakow, Poland __________________ Urban Showcase: Athens Kalamata Trikala Thessaloniki Cityscapes: Paris Barcelona Dubai, U.A.E. Monte Carlo, Monaco General photography: Castles of France - Chateau de France and, since May of '08: Greece!

July 29th, 2010, 03:50 AM	#12
Urbanista1 Location: Here and Now Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 4,279 Likes (Received): 93	Last edited by Urbanista1; August 3rd, 2010 at 02:46 AM.

July 30th, 2010, 01:04 AM	#14
DocentX Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Warsaw Posts: 6,081 Likes (Received): 86	Did you visit something apart from Warsaw and Krakow? BTW - it's good that you didn't stick only to the Old Town district __________________ 'Dream as if you'll live forever - live as you'll die today'

July 31st, 2010, 11:35 AM	#20
stevensp Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 953 Likes (Received): 1	Hi... I went to Kraków this week aswell, it really is an amazing city with a great ambient... Nice nightlife.. chill city... Cheap aswell (for west european people)! Some of my pictures... (typical bar there, communistic style a bit...) Very close to auswitz which is important and interesting to see aswell... Hope you all like the pictures... Some edited (probably B&W-pics) very soon comin up in my gallery http://stevenspapen.carbonmade.com/ __________________ My web page http://stevenspapen.tumblr.com NEW Architecture projects Photography

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July 27th, 2010, 05:26 PM	#2
Urbanista1 Location: Here and Now Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 4,279 Likes (Received): 93	Podgorze Neighbourhood Schindler Factory The Vistula Kazimierz - The Old Jewish Community

July 27th, 2010, 05:29 PM	#3
Urbanista1 Location: Here and Now Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 4,279 Likes (Received): 93	The cemetaries Old Jewish Cemetary Rakowicki Christian Cemetary - reminds me of Pere Lachaise

July 27th, 2010, 05:53 PM	#4
geoff189d Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Birmingham UK Posts: 968 Likes (Received): 4	Cracow looks lovely.

July 27th, 2010, 11:56 PM	#5
rychlik Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: HAMILTON Posts: 3,867 Likes (Received): 221	One of Europes most beautiful cities. New designs look great too.

July 28th, 2010, 12:51 AM	#6
Urbanista1 Location: Here and Now Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 4,279 Likes (Received): 93	There are a lot of museums, stadiums and convention centres under construction in Krakow now that should provide some great examples of modern architecture.

July 28th, 2010, 12:55 AM	#7
kingsway Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: WestCoast Posts: 520 Likes (Received): 1	nice city. beautiful set of photos of the cemetery.

July 28th, 2010, 12:38 PM	#9
Adiks Unhappy one Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: there --> Posts: 298 Likes (Received): 2	Great shots, fancy city! Just dont like the thread name. Krakow is just Krakow. I do get that it's been somehow influenced by southern style, but that would be it. The city remains oryginal and should not be named after another city (especially a less important one when it comes to historic importance).

July 28th, 2010, 03:50 PM	#10
Urbanista1 Location: Here and Now Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 4,279 Likes (Received): 93	I do see your point. Krakow is very important in its own right and doesn't really need the reference. But since it is still somewhat unknown, I thought an evocative reference would encourage people to look in. The city is over 1,000 years old, but the area has been inhabited for thousands of years. Its location on a natural north-south trade route at a break in the Carpathian mountain range helped make it important early on along with its microclimate, access to the Vistula and ideal topography for the construction of a fortress on Wawel Hill. King Casimir the Great invited thousands of Italian architects and artisans during the early renaissance to design and build some of the beautiful edifices in the pictures. The Historical Museum of the City of Krakow will be opening in Septmeber and should provide some amazing artifacts from the city's historic development that were unearthed under the main market square. More pictures coming soon.....

July 29th, 2010, 03:43 AM	#11
Urbanista1 Location: Here and Now Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 4,279 Likes (Received): 93	Since you liked my Krakow pics, here are some more...

July 29th, 2010, 04:01 AM	#13
Urbanista1 Location: Here and Now Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 4,279 Likes (Received): 93	The ubiguitous bagel wagons - bagels were invented in Krakow.

July 30th, 2010, 06:34 AM	#15
Urbanista1 Location: Here and Now Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 4,279 Likes (Received): 93	Hi DocentX. Thanks for visiting. I also visited Czestochowa/Jasna Gora and Gdansk. Was hoping to visit Biecz and some interesting areas outside Krakow (besides the touristy ones like Pieskowa Skala and Wieliczka etc) but there wasn't enough time and I wanted to relax and really get to know Krakow. Next time, I would like to visit Torun and Elblag, since there appears to be a lot happening there. Are you in Krakow?

July 30th, 2010, 05:25 PM	#17
Urbanista1 Location: Here and Now Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 4,279 Likes (Received): 93	I do haved pics of Gdansk, but it was rainy when I was there, so most are too grey to post, but still very nice. I liked Poland a lot, but I think people that work in hotels and the service industry in Krakow could a little friendlier and polite. Maybe they're used to getting hit on Warsaw was actually friendlier. My last time in Poland was 2008 and then 1994. So, the change has been dramatic. I know some people of Polish background who have just moved to Poland to start a business and I might be considering it too - would be an adventure, I'm sure

July 30th, 2010, 08:35 PM	#18
Wielki Gmach Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Białystok Posts: 283 Likes (Received): 2	i love this city

July 30th, 2010, 09:31 PM	#19
Urbanista1 Location: Here and Now Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 4,279 Likes (Received): 93	There's nothing quite like it, but Florence would compare in beauty.