Rated as one of the most affordable budget destinations in Europe by the folks at Price of Travel, the city of Krakow, Poland is one of the few towns that did not end up flattened or significantly damaged by the bombings that occurred throughout much of the continent during World War 2. This has led the Old Town area to make the UNESECO list of World Heritage Sites but visitors should also stop by the formerly Jewish Kazimierz district. There are many additional sites in the area for guests to see but the list that follows includes some especially noteworthy spots to check out while you’re visiting.
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* Visit a historic church or several. There are many religious structures to be found here including the spectacularly ornate but unoriginally named Church of the Virgin Mary and the private cathedral at Warwel Castle. Other interesting religious buildings include the Franciscan Church, the Corpus Christi Church, and the Church of St. Andrew.
*Learn a little bit about region’s history during World War Two. Krakow was not a hotbed of outright resistance activity as Warsaw was at the same time but that is probably why the town is still standing today. Yet the citizens found their own ways to help their fellow human beings. Oscar Schindler’s factory is but one example. Local Jewish residents that didn’t survive the Holocaust are even memorialized by statues found in the Ghetto Heroes Square but for further details on that subject a trip to the Galicia Jewish Museum might also be in order. Those that wish to brave the town’s former Gestapo Headquarters and the nearby Plaszow Concentration Camp can also do so but these sights are probably only a viable option for those travelers with strong constitutions.
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*Stop by one of the many additional museums. With topics ranging from stained glass to modern avionics, there’s sure to be a museum in town that catches one’s fancy. Other interesting museums found here include the Pharmacy Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, the National Museum, and the Rynek Underground exhibit which details the archeological history of the region.
Getting to this town is quite simple. Krakow can easily be reached by bus, train, or private car. There is also an international airport (code: KRK) that is located about 10 kilometers outside of town where flights arrive from other countries. Quite a number of European budget carriers use this airport as a base of operations so it is easily reached from most spots in the country.
Happy Travels!
Sources: Price of Travel; Wiki Travel; Trip Advisor
