It is the second largest city in Poland, with over 800,000 inhabitants. Its area is 326 square kilometers.
Historical data and archaeological excavations show that this city existed long before the establishment of the Polish state in the 10th century.
In the years 1038-1306, Krakow was for the most part the capital of the newly created state, but experiencing a period of great destabilization. The only unambiguously positive event for Krakow was the year 1256, when the city obtained city rights under Magdeburg law.
In the years 1306–1609, it was officially the capital of Poland, experiencing a wonderful period with great progress in all political, economic and cultural fields. We can see it very easily, because the Old Town at first glance is an extensive open-air museum. Internally and externally, most of these monuments were built in the 15th-17th centuries and have been preserved in excellent condition to this day, despite all the looting that Poles experienced from Swedes in the mid-17th century, Austrians in the 19th century and Germans in the 20th century.
During its heyday, Kraków (14th-16th centuries) was a centre of trade in Eastern Europe, as all small traders going from west to east and vice versa had to pass through this city. This was a good source of income for the city.
In Krakow, from the beginning of the establishment of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, an era of decline began in all areas, after the transfer of the seat of the parliament of both countries and the place of the Free Election of Kings to Warsaw , as well as the final transfer of the royal seat at the beginning of the 17th century. All because Warsaw was located in the middle of Krakow and Vilnius (so far the capitals of two warring countries, Poland and Lithuania).
When Poland was finally dismembered by Prussia, Austria and Russia in 1795 after several years of weakness, Krakow was under various administrations until independence in 1918:
•1795-1796 - times of the Prussian dynasty,
•1796-1809 - under Austrian rule,
•1809-1814 - the city was part of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw founded by Napoleon Bonaparte,
• 1815-1846, as a result of the decision of the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the Republic of Cracow (the Free City of Cracow together with its surroundings with an area of 1,164 km2) was established, which came under the rule of three invaders,
•1846-1876 returns to full Austrian captivity
•1876-1918 Krakow was part of the autonomous republic of Galicia, which was under the loose rule of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.
During the German occupation of 1939-1945, Krakow was the seat of the General Government, headed by Governor Hans Frank, one of those sentenced to death in the international Nazi trials in Nuremberg in 1946.
It can be assumed that Krakow was very lucky and did not share the happiness of Warsaw, which was almost completely destroyed.
Thanks to this, we are lucky enough to visit them and enjoy these magnificent medieval spaces that hide the secrets of the history of this city and the richness of fine arts that have reigned for centuries.