Krakow - The Magical City
As the old capital of Poland, Krakow has a special place in the national consciousness. For the casual tourist this may not be vitally important or discernable, but this special role as the "spiritual" capital of Poland imbues Krakow with an added ambiance. The city is a vibrant university town that boasts the largest Medieval market square in Europe, plus exquisitely preserved Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural monuments of the highest order. If you get bored of traditional sightseeing, the glorious architecture creates a great backdrop for just sipping a coffee or glass of beer in the outdoor cafes that line practically every street from April-Oct. And at night there are hundreds of bars to suit all tastes, many of them housed in atmospheric cellars. Browse, read and check things out!
Planty
landmarks
culture | entertainment
Contact details
Stare Miasto Planty
Description
The Planty Park
When it was decided that Krakow's old city walls were obsolete and should be demolished the idea arouse to lay out a promenade in their place. The demolition of the walls and towers began in 1807 and the creation of the park dates from 1822, and work continued over the span of a few decades. The Planty Park nearly surrounds the entire Old Town (there's a small break at the foot of the Wawel Castle) and it's a great place to stroll and admire the monuments for Krakow from their "backyard". A stroll through the park lasts for 4 kilometers and you'll notice that the park was laid out in such a way that each section has its own character. If you like water, there's a small pond and fountain in the northern section of the park near the Barbakan. The approach to the Wawel Castle offers wonderful views of the castle in winter when the trees are bare. If you're curious about the old city gates and towers that no longer exist you'll notice that throughout the park there are plaques that show where the old towers and gates stood and what they looked like at the beginning of the 19th century.
Dennis McEvoy
