Krakow is the cultural and historical center of Poland
Poland will amaze you with an abundance of flowers; Poles seem to compete in decorating their yards and balconies. Garden figurines or simple compositions, such as those made from cart wheels, are common. In southern Poland, simple rural labor prevails – horses still work in the fields, and hand-tied sheaves stand. Countless villagers work just as their ancestors did centuries ago, while their children run around playing their national games for girls and boys.
Crossing mountain ranges in a high bus is a special pleasure – rivers and cliffs below, it takes your breath away. The twists and turns of the mountain road never get boring. Poland in the Tatras is, above all, medieval castles. You get used to such an abundance of castles, and they don't seem very mysterious; only the power of the structure, raised to a great height, amazes.
If there were a beauty contest among Polish cities, with all the wealth of choice, Krakow, the ancient capital of Polish kings, would likely win. Krakow – because, continuing the metaphor, it is the only Polish beauty who wouldn't be afraid to wash her face: in Krakow everything is real, its antiquities are authentic, not a carefully restored copy. The latter applies to Warsaw and many other cities that were literally razed to the ground during World War II, and their historical districts had to be meticulously restored brick by brick.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the true capital – the cultural and historical center of Poland – is Krakow. A luxurious city of knights. The splendor of Baroque and the elegance of the Renaissance are offset by the severity of the Gothic cathedral. The royal residence has preserved not only its architectural decor but also its interior furnishings.
The city lives cheerfully. Even pensioners, dressed in bright national costumes, entertain not only tourists but also themselves... No one forgets the classic Polish games for boys even in old age. The Old Town is filled with music. The bells of barrel organs, church bells, and the harnesses of horse-drawn carriages ring out. The violins of wandering Gypsies, the double basses of folk ensembles, and the drums of the Hare Krishnas try to outdo each other.
The center of this merriment is the Sukiennice – the central market. It is filled with folk crafts: leather and sheepskin, amber and silver, as well as embroidery and glass... On the square in front of the market, antique fairs are held. Fortunately, there are plenty of ancient castles with deep basements and treasures in the vicinity. Maybe you'll come across something completely amazing?
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