Things to see and do Krakow

This eighteenth-century Baroque basilica is a bit out of the way, but it is immediately noticeable if you walk along the banks of the Vistula River, the way it majestically stands out from the river, in the middle of a park. It is one of the most popular places of worship in the city, because of its special relationship with St. Stanislaus, the patron saint of Poland. After his murder, the martyr and bishop was installed here and celebrated before he was canonized and later exhumed and transported to the Wawel. The memory of the saint continues to keep alive the basilica, which is one of the richest in the city. Its interior is a true Baroque jewel that should not be missed: pastel colors, golden ornaments, statues of angels and saints. Above all, the chapel dedicated to St. Stanislaus. Inside, you can see the trunk on which the drops of blood of the bishop fell. The miraculous water in the basin near the church, with a statue of St. Stanislaus, is said to have healing powers, especially for skin and eye diseases.

Every year since the 13th century, on the first Sunday after May 8, the faithful carry the relic of the Bishop of Wawel to Skałka. The start of the grand procession is marked by the ringing of Sigismund's bell. This is one of the highlights of the country that is a must see. Under the basilica is the Crypt of the Meritorious, where "great men" who have distinguished themselves in the field of culture, science and art are buried.

Construction work on this imposing modern building began in 1934, but was not completed until 1989. This is the main building of the National Museum, whose branches are located in several different parts of the city. It comprises three galleries - the Gallery of Arms and Colours in Poland, the Gallery of ^20th-century Polish Art and the Gallery of Artistic Craftsmanship - and hosts some very interesting temporary exhibitions.

The Old Synagogue, one of the oldest in the country, was built in its Gothic style at the end of the 15th century when the Jews settled in Kazimierz and was restored in 1959 when it was decided to turn it into a museum. Since then it has housed the Museum of Jewish History and Culture. A separate room is dedicated to the history of the extermination of the Jews, including a series of photographs of life in the Jewish quarter before and during World War II.

The invasion of the Tatars in 1241 showed that Krakow, surrounded only by earthen embankments and wooden palisades, was unable to defend itself

the invasion of the Tatars in 1241 showed that Krakow, surrounded only by earthen embankments and wooden palisades, was unable to defend itself, which proved the need to provide the city with solid fortifications. In 1285, Krakow was granted the right to build a city wall. A 4-kilometer-long system of walls was built between the end of the 13th and the beginning of the 16th century. It included 7 doors and 47 towers. However, at the beginning of the 19th century, the Austrian authorities decided to demolish the fortifications, which had become obsolete and unable to cope with enemy sieges. They were replaced by the Planty "plantations", following the example of the Viennese Ring. Only the St. Florian Gate, the Barbican and three towers were spared thanks to the efforts of Feliks Radwański, who managed to convince the Austrians that the towers and the gate could have protected the city from draughts, winds and snowstorms coming from the north! A green oasis completely surrounding the old town, the planty is an excellent starting point to understand the topography of the city, to get an idea of its size in the Middle Ages and to get a glimpse of some beautiful monuments. Today, this park is decorated with numerous fountains, statues, as well as plaques marking the location of the old gates. A real blessing that opens the city center, it is very popular with Krakow residents who come here to read, jog or meet up with their loved ones.

The only authorized pharmacy in the ghetto was run until the last deportations by Dr. Tadeusz Pankiewic who, refusing to leave the neighborhood, was the only non-Jew living and working in the ghetto. Thus, from 1941 to 1943, he helped the Jews of the ghetto. He delivered medicine and food, brought news from outside, provided false papers and hiding places. He died in 1993 and was honored by Israel with the title of Righteous.

The museum is located in the birthplace of this giant of the national spirit and honorary citizen of the city. It provides an opportunity to see the apartments/workshops where the great master of national romanticism lived and worked until 1893, when he died. The permanent exhibition includes unique works by Matejko, family memorabilia and antiques, especially oriental and western weapons collected by the painter during his lifetime and which he used for his art. It is a nice visit just a stone's throw from the Rynek.

Located south of the Rynek opposite the Bishops' Palace, this enormous church dates from the 13th century. In the 19th century, it was enriched with beautiful stained glass windows and Art Nouveau murals by Stanisław Wyspiański: the one above the door, God the Creator, is a true masterpiece. During Lent, every Friday around 4:30 pm, men dressed in black carry a skull to the Passion Chapel, where they then lie on the floor. In the adjacent cloister(klasztor), there is an amazing collection of portraits of all the bishops of Krakow.

This curious 34-meter-high grass-covered mound surrounded by a ring of brick buildings was built in the 19th century to honor Tadeusz Kościuszko, a hero of the independence struggle. Today, it is a popular place for walking and an excellent vantage point. On a clear day, you can see the peaks of the Tatras, although they are 100 km away. At its feet, the small chapel of St. Bronislawa houses a museum to the glory of Tadeusz Kościuszko.

The calm, romantic and intimate atmosphere of this small pedestrian square, wedged between the Church of Our Lady and the Church of St. Barbara, contrasts with the bustle of the neighboring Rynek. Enclosed by tall buildings, it boasts exceptional acoustics: the melody of the hejnal can be heard perfectly when played in a southerly direction. In the middle stands a fountain, topped by a statue of a melancholy young man with a turban tied around his head.

The second part of the Royal Way, connecting the Rynek to Wawel, it ended at the foot of the fortifications of Okół, an ancient settlement located between the Old Town and Wawel. It is assumed that the square Św. Marii Magdaleny corresponded to the market square in Okół.

At No. 53 Grodzka Street, there is the Collegium Iuridicum, today it houses the Institute of Art History and two museums: Muszle Egzotycze is devoted to shells, Motyle Swiata to butterflies

This street leads from the Rynek to the Florian Gate, the main entrance to the city. It has always had a commercial vocation and preserves some beautiful Renaissance buildings, notably at nos. 3, 7, 9 and 26. At no. 45 is the Jama Michalika café, the most beautiful in Kraków, which in the Belle Epoque was the meeting place of the literary and artistic movement Młoda Polska (Young Poland). Its representatives created here the Zielony Balonik cabaret, the first political cabaret in Poland.

At the end of Rue Floriańska, this ^13th-century medieval gate and the two adjacent towers are the only remains of the old town fortifications demolished in the early ^19th century. At the time, the city wall comprised seven gates and forty-seven towers. You can access what remains of the old fortifications and walk the walkway between the two bastions still standing. The gate takes its name from the nearby Saint-Florien church.

This small circular fort was added to the fortifications in the ^15th century to ensure more effective defense of the town. Now isolated in the middle of the Planty, the fort was originally linked to the Porte Florian by a corridor known as "le cou". It is one of Europe's best-preserved barbicans, a marvel of medieval military architecture. It is open to visitors and, in summer, is sometimes used as a backdrop for medieval shows (sword fights and folk dances, of questionable quality, but entertaining).

Founded by King Casimir the Great in 1364 with the name Academia Croviensis (Academy of Krakow), the Jagiellonian University was the second largest university in Central Europe, after Prague. Falling into decline with the death of the king, it was renovated around 1390 and gained the status of a university it did not have before (it did not have a chair of theology, at the time the noblest knowledge and privilege granted by the pope, but then kept its name of Kraków Academy until 1818) by King Władisław Jagełło, who bought and formed the Collegium Maius, "the great college." The university has buildings all over the city center, so you'll often see students milling from one street to another, between classes.

All around the Collegium Maius stand the buildings of the Jagiellonian University. Opposite the Collegium Maius is the Collegium Kołłataja and, further south, the Collegium Minus. In front of the University Church of St. Anne is the Collegium Nowodworski (ul. św. Anny 12). Here studied King Jan III Sobieski, painters Jan Matejko and Stanisław Wyspiański and writer Joseph Conrad. Continuing down Gołębia Street, at n. 24, the Collegium Novum houses the neo-Gothic seat of the university (you can't get in, or you have to dodge the guards and play student). Opposite it stands the Collegium Witkowskiego and a statue of Copernicus.

The Gothic building of the Collegium Maius now houses the Jagiellonian University Museum with two collections, one historical and the other scientific. The historical section leads to a large hall of honor decorated with portraits of its most prestigious students such as Nicolaus Copernicus, King Jan III Sobieski, anthropologist Bronisław Malinowski, and Karol Wojtyła. One then visits the Treasury Rooms and the Great Hall, the seat of great university ceremonies. The centerpiece of the exhibition is the oldest globe in the world, dated 1510, on which America is marked "newly discovered country." The scientific collection includes a series of instruments that would have been used by Nicolaus Copernicus.

The courtyard of the Collegium Maius is worth a visit. Every day at 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 and 17:00, one can watch the brief musical ride of the figures animated by the clock mechanism above the Golden Gate and representing the personalities who played an important role in the history of the university.

They are very hard to ignore and have become one of the main attractions on the Rynek, in front of the Cloth Hall. Their beautiful horse-drawn carriages will take you, depending on the length of time you request, around the center or to the Kazimierz district. It's a bit of a "luxury" service that doesn't come with a guided tour, or even much interaction with the staff, which is primarily aimed at taking you for a ride. An hour costs about 350 zl, which can be a bit excessive, so don't hesitate to discuss the price, especially in winter when they have fewer people.

Now renamed in honor of the "Ghetto Heroes," Zgody Square was the heart of the Jewish ghetto. From here, thousands of Jews left for various camps. Today, a memorial by Cracow architects Piotr Lewicki and Kazimierz Latak stands in the center of the square, consisting of 68 empty chairs that symbolize the possessions left behind by the deportees. Each chair represents 1,000 Krakow Jews who fell victim to Nazi barbarism.

You'll see them all over the city, recognizable by the crowds they drag behind them. They offer free guided tours in English, Spanish and German. The tours last about 2 hours and you can choose from several tours, including Jewish Krakow, Historic Krakow and Communist Krakow. Excellent for a first approach to the city. They are not afraid of the night, because even after dinner you can meet groups of people who are out exploring the city.

The origins of this 16 meter high mound overlooking Podgórze are shrouded in mystery. Legend has it that it was the burial place of Prince Krak, the founder of Kraków. Recent archaeological excavations have unearthed objects dating back to the seventh century, which suggest that in pagan times rituals celebrating the arrival of spring were held here. In any case, the place offers a magnificent view of the Old Town, Kazimierz, Płaszów and Nowa Huta.

The tourist office financed by the city is decentralized in several information points (Punkt informacji Miejskiej) scattered all over the city. Rather discreet compared to the more aggressively marketed travel agencies, it offers very interesting services. For example: rooms in local homes, reservations for visits and tours with the right guides in the city. The list of places can be found on its website.

The first church in Kazimierz was erected by King Casimir in 1340, but its construction was not completed until the middle of the 15th century. Its beautiful baroque interior contrasts with the austerity of its architecture. Inside you can admire the stained glass windows in the choir and the impressive baroque pulpit in the shape of a boat supported by mermaids and dolphins. In the Chapel of St. Anne lies Bartolomeo Berecci, the architect of Wawel, who was murdered in 1537.

The main building of the National Museum houses a gallery of decorative art, an excellent Polish art gallery of the th century, a true reason for travel, as well as a relatively medium collection of weapons and uniforms. The Cracow National Museum is composed of a number of annexes. The most remarkable pieces of the collection are two paintings of Rembrandt and Vinci in the Czartoryski museum. Its other annexes are the museum of Jan Matejko, that of Stanisław Wyspiański, the very beautiful house of the artist of the Young Poland movement (Belle Epoque) Józef Malinowski (Ul. Krupnicza 26 Tel +48 12 421 11 43), the Polish painting gallery of the Cloth Hall and the Manggha Museum.

Built at the end of the 16th century by the Jesuits who came to launch the counter-Reformation, this church was the first Baroque building in the city. It is easily recognizable from Grodzka Street: its façade is preceded by a balustrade on which stand the statues of the 12 apostles (1723)

statues of the 12 apostles (1723). Its crypt contains the remains of Piotr Skarga, a Jesuit preacher and visionary priest who predicted the partition of Poland. The church hosts classical music concerts.

It is one of the largest basilicas in Krakow, which has been the mother church of the Dominican order since its introduction in 1229, and therefore occupies a very important place in the history of the country. The church was destroyed by fire in 1850 and only a few chapels survived, such as the Chapel of St. Hyacinth, in the middle of which stands a sarcophagus containing the relics of the first Polish Dominican. In the 1980s, students who were opposed to the regime organized exhibitions of subversive paintings in the chapel.

During the Second World War, this building housed the Krakow Gestapo offices. The first and second floors were used as interrogation rooms, and the basements as cells. The permanent exhibition traces the lives of Polish resistance fighters and Jews in Krakow during the Occupation. The basement cells feature some 600 inscriptions left by prisoners between 1943 and 1945. A museum that pays tribute to the suffering and endurance of the Polish people.

Built in the 16th century by the merchant Isserl ben Jozef as a gift for his son Moses Isserles (1520-1572), known as Remu'h, the famous Krakow scholar, philosopher and Talmudist, it is the only synagogue in Krakow that offers regular religious functions. Originally, it was a very small synagogue for the close circle of its founder. It is sometimes referred to as the "new" synagogue in comparison to the Old Synagogue. Behind the synagogue, the cemetery is the oldest in Krakow's Jewish community and one of the oldest in Europe. Established in 1551, it was closed by the Austrians in 1800 for sanitary reasons and vandalized by the Nazis during World War II. In 1959-1960, excavations brought to light several layers of burials, in total more than 700 stelae, most of which date back to the 16th century. The most impressive sarcophagi of the complex, decorated with enigmatic and mystical inscriptions, are gradually being renovated and exhibited. The greatest cult is dedicated to the tomb of Rabbi Remu'h, which is adjacent to the western wall of the synagogue. His tomb was miraculously spared by the Nazis, a fact interpreted by Orthodox Jews as a sign of his holiness, even though it was already a place of pilgrimage for Hasidic Jews. Today, visits by groups from Israel show that the site retains its roots. The graves that could not be preserved were used to build a wall of remembrance near the entrance.

Located in the center of the Rynek, this imposing 14th-century Gothic tower is all that remains of the old medieval town hall, which was destroyed in 1820. You can go up to the tower at different times of the year, and on the way up you learn more about the building and its importance at the time. The visit ends at the clock mechanism from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city and the church of Our Lady.

Built in the 11th century, this massive church is the best preserved example of Romanesque architecture not only in Krakow, but in all of Poland. The facade is dominated by two octagonal towers with narrow geminated windows with a small central column, which testify to its defensive purpose. In fact, it is the only church in the city to have survived the Tatar assault in 1241. The interior, of baroque style, transformed in the XVIIIth century, is superb.

Opened since September 2010, this museum created under the Rynek is the rebuilding of the square and the town in the Middle Ages. The work began in 2005 and excavations provided an opportunity to enlarge the exceptional collection of pieces and objects from this exposed era… walls and pavés of the time were also conserved. The market atmosphere and merchants from all countries are complemented by an original soundtrack. Educational spaces and conference rooms feature films on the living conditions of the 13 th century. 

This former 17th century warehouse was once used to store wheat. Now it houses another type of resource: European paintings and sculptures from the collection of the National Museum in Krakow, including paintings by Paolo Veneziano and Lorenzo Lotto or sculptures by Bertel Thorvaldsen, Antonio Canova and Gustav Vigeland. The majority of the collection comes from the Middle Ages and sometimes great names join the temporary exhibition.

You can see their flashy yellow minibuses cluttering the adjoining downtown streets. Their small electric vehicles that circulate around the Rynek and offer guided tours of the city center, Wawel Hill, the Kazimierz district and Podgorze are still very practical. The price for a vehicle accommodating 1 to 5 people is 500 zł for 1h30 (105 zł per person). The price includes audio commentary, obviously available in French.

Located in the Old Town, this rental agency offers good-quality bicycles, and in summer also has a rental point on plac Nowy, in the Kazimierz district. The agency organizes guided bike, Segway and walking tours, taking in the city's best sights with "a touch of local entertainment". A valid ID card and deposit are required at the time of rental. You are accompanied by a professional guide. They also offer themed tours.

This magnificent museum extends beneath a large part of the square. It is the result of archaeological research carried out under the Rynek from 2005 to 2007. Using state-of-the-art technology and know-how, it traces the history of the town from its very beginnings. The remains of the city, including an ^11th-century cemetery, are presented in the form of models and reconstructions of medieval buildings, 3D representations, documentary films, etc., enabling visitors to discover Krakow in the Middle Ages. A visit that's even better with a guide.

The central square was the heart of the city. From here, five wide avenues radiated out in the shape of a pentagon, leading to residential areas called sectors and indicated by letters of the alphabet. It was to be surrounded by housing estates, party buildings, a theater to the south and the city hall to the north. But the project could not be fully realized because of its enormous cost and the death of Stalin in 1953, which put a stop to the architectural madness. As a result, the city hall, which was supposed to compete with the Empire State Building, never saw the light of day (but the gardens of the city hall do exist) and the project of an obelisk worthy of the one in Washington remained forever in the cards. Instead, on the adjacent Rose Street, there was a 7 t statue of Stalin, the object of many riots during the socialist era. In reality, Nowa Huta exudes a real charm, that of the utopia of the perfect city, and a kind of melancholy towards the failed socialist dream.

If from Centralny Square one walks along Solidarności Avenue all the way to the end, one will arrive at the Sendzimir steel mill (Huta im. Sendzimira, ul. Ujastek 1). The visit is forbidden to the public, but it is worth going there to see its huge sign and the building of the Administrative Center of the steel plant. It is the best example of social realist architecture in Poland. Because of its architectural appearance, the Center is nicknamed Vatican and Doge's Palace.

The construction of the Ark of the Lord was the result of an intense struggle by the inhabitants against the communist regime, which wanted a "city without God". Unfortunately, the workers of Nowa Huta, often from the countryside, won. It was the future Pope John Paul II, Karol Wojtyła, then archbishop of Krakow, who laid the foundation stone of the church in 1969, in this case a fragment of the tomb of St. Peter sent by the Vatican.

The temple resembles Noah's Ark, stranded on Mount Ararat, with its 70 m high mast in the shape of a cross surrounded by a crown. It should be seen as a metaphor that Christianity will survive communism. Inside the church, there is a gigantic bronze Christ, 8 m high, crucified but without a cross. In the months following the opening of the church, masses were celebrated every 30 minutes on Sundays to cope with the crowds. From December 13, 1981 to July 22, 1983, during the Martial Law, on the 13th of each month in this church, the "Mass for the Fatherland" was celebrated, for social justice and respect for human rights. These masses were followed by demonstrations against the violation of civil rights by the authorities, which were severely repressed by the police. The most famous victim of these riots was Bogdan Włosik, a 19-year-old student working at the steel mill. In front of the church is the monument commemorating the place where Włosik was killed by a secret police agent in 1982.

This monastery, inhabited by Cistercian monks since 1222, is the mother house of the order in the country. Within its walls stands the Gothic Church of the Virgin Mary and St. Wenceslas, one of the oldest in Poland. Its Chapel of the Holy Cross contains the miraculous crucifix of Mogiła: its faithful go around its altar on their knees. Opposite the monastery is the small wooden church of St. Bartholomew, one of the oldest wooden churches in Poland.

This church, among the oldest in Krakow, was built by Piotr Wlast. The bishop of Krakow predicted that he would regain his sight if he founded 7 churches and 3 cloisters. His pride led him to build 70 churches and 30 cloisters. The promise was not fulfilled. After realizing his sin, he rebuilt 7 churches and 3 cloisters, including the Church of the Holy Savior... and recovered his sight. The most interesting element of the church's interior is a painting of Christ on the Cross with a musician (1605) by Kasper Kurcz.

Kanonicza Street, which runs parallel to Grodzka Street and leads to Wawel Hill, is probably the best preserved street in the Old Town and one of the most beautiful and picturesque in Krakow. Spared from the fire that destroyed much of the city in 1850, it has preserved its original medieval atmosphere.

The Długosz House (dom Jana Długosza)is located at no. 25. Jan Długosz, the first great historian of Poland and tutor of the children of King Casimir who lived there from 1450 to 1480, and its magnificent portal says "Nothing is better in man than his spirit". A bas-relief of 1480 representing the Virgin with the Child is also remarkable. Today it is the seat of the Pontifical Academy of Theology.

At No. 21 is the Dean's House(Dom Dziekański), by Santi Gucci, the architect of Sulkennice. Residence of the bishops of Krakow, the future Pope John Paul II stayed from 1963 to 1967. Its portal hides a beautiful Renaissance-style arcaded courtyard with an 18th-century statue of St. Stanislaus.

The palace ofBishop Florian of Mokrsko, at no. 18, also has a beautiful arcaded courtyard and a Renaissance portal. At No. 17 is the palace of Bishop Erazm Ciołek. The palace of Bishop Samuel Maciejowski at no. 1, built in 1531-1532, was converted into a court and prison in the early 19th century. It was used as a court and prison until 1970. The baroque portal still reads "Office of the Royal Inquisition Court".

Founded in 1783, the botanical gardens of Jagiellonian University comprise over 10 hectares of greenery and flowers. They house some 5,000 species of plants and flowers from all over the world, including a magnificent collection of orchids dating from 1860, and several interesting exhibits, including plants described in the Bible and medicinal plants. Just a stone's throw from the old town, it's an oasis of freshness and clean air in a magnificent natural setting. Little frequented by foreign tourists, it's an ideal place to stop and stroll between two visits.

On the first floor of the Cloth Hall, this tourist office offers information about the Little Poland region. Among the services offered: guided tours, interpreting, hotel reservations, restaurants, cultural events, car rental. In particular, the office organizes tours to Wieliczka, Oświęcim, Częstochowa, Wadowice, Zakopane, and also tours of Kraków. It is a good starting point for those who want to venture outside the walls.

Located behind the Słowacki Theater, this 15th-century red-brick Gothic church, quite simple in appearance from the outside, is well worth a visit. The nave is topped by a Gothic star vault supported by a single central pillar symbolizing the new tree of life embodied by the cross of Christ, typical of the hospitable order of the Holy Spirit of Saxia to which the church belonged. The side walls are decorated with precious gothic frescoes.

The "wide street" is actually an old market place that was the center of commercial and religious life in Jewish Kazimierz. Bordered by synagogues (the Popper, Remuh and Old Synagogue) and 16th-18th century houses, it retains its original organic appearance. The imposing Landau House, often misidentified as the Jordan Palace, closes the square on the north side and today houses the famous Jewish bookstore Jarden.

Facing Notre Dame Square, this 14th century church was once the chapel of the parish cemetery that occupied the square and was used until 1796. Its interior is baroque and there is a small chapel from the end of the 15th century with sculptures of Jesus surrounded by three apostles praying in the Garden of Olives. The Jesuit convent, adjacent to the church, communicates with the Mały Rynek square. After 1780, it became a hospital and it was here that Dr. Rafał Józef Czerwiakowski performed the first autopsy in Kraków.

Located on the Rynek, south of the Cloth Hall, this small church, built in the ^10th century, is the oldest in the city. The original wooden structure was replaced by a Romanesque church in the ^12th century. In the ^17th century, the latter was further modified to take on a Baroque appearance. Fragments of the Romanesque walls, on display in the church, represent the oldest architectural features of the Rynek. From June¹ to September 30, an exhibition on the history of Saint Adalbert and the church can be viewed in the superb basement crypt.

On the Rynek, between the Cloth Hall and the Church of Our Lady, stands this bronze statue of the Romantic poet, the work of Teodor Rygier, unveiled for the centenary of Mickiewicz's birth in 1898. Perched on a pedestal, it is surrounded by four allegorical figures, symbolizing poetry, patriotism, education and heroism. It is a favorite meeting place of Krakow's citizens and the focal point of the Christmas market.

This church was built in the ^17th century on the site of an earlier church destroyed during the Swedish invasion of 1655. The crypt contains the mummified remains of monks and donors. From 166 onwards, the monks' bodies were kept here without coffins. A rather eerie curiosity that can only be visited once a year, on November 2. The church itself is quite pretty, but doesn't measure up to the competition.

Located near the Collegium Maius, this charming 18th-century Gothic church has served since 1698 as the university chapel, where all official ceremonies were celebrated. In the right transept one can admire the sarcophagus containing the relics of the saint Jan Kanty carried by four allegorical figures symbolizing the four main faculties of the university: medicine, law, philosophy and theology. On the opposite side of the transept there is a monument dedicated to Nicolaus Copernicus, a former student of the university.

Beautiful gallery of contemporary art, paintings and ceramics.

The monastery complex stands in an enchanting bucolic setting on Srebrna Góra in the Wolski Forest. The Camaldolese monks live in seclusion, meeting only at prayer time. Contemplative and constantly meditating on death, they meditate before the skulls of their predecessors. Only men are allowed to visit the place and to cross paths with the hermits in their meditation, while women are only allowed to visit 12 specific days a year (for feasts).

Wacky tour operators who organize both cultural and ironic tours of Nowa Huta. Their Communism Tours take you on a delirious "authentic" tour of the planned Stalinist city in

Trabant, an East German car. They also offer tours of Krakow in its communist guise or of a nearby kolkhoz. Their young guides are very friendly and work in a good mood, you will taste a bit of Polish humor. This modern service has become very popular in recent years.

Playground for children, rental of boats, canoes and bicycles.