Krakow (Cracow):
'Cracow, Poland's ancient royal capital, is one of the great survivors of this part of Europe. And much like the embattled old countess, who managed to come through the war and the Soviet era, she is a proud city. Conservative in some ways, and with an eye towards tradition, Cracow also has an eccentric streak that can be enchanting
Crakow, has retained much of its splendour, yet there is a tranquility here that can be disarming. And here lies one of the keys to the city's magic. It is the kind of place where every day you might stumble across something that you have not noticed before - a little baroque church, a hidden courtyard, or perhaps just one of the myriad gargoyles and sculptures that peer down from the city's houses. Cracow is a treasure trove, and a great advantage is that it can largely be explored by foot - there is no need to plunge yourself into a world of underground trains or buses.'Cracow-life
Krakow's Historic Old Town:
'The Old Town is where most visitors will begin their tour of the city, and where many of the key landmarks are to be found. Since 1989, it has undergone a major transformation, and the place is now really getting into its stride. Cafes, restaurants and shops are flourishing, whilst the black soot that cloaked much of the city has been painstakingly removed. The dramatic arrival of democracy and a Free Market culture has, of course, been no bed of roses, but one cannot help feeling a sense of admiration at how the Cracovians have responded to the changes. The city’s age-old character has not been lost. Rather, it has been given a new lease on life.
Old Town was once ringed by a great wall, and a fragment of this still survives. Where its turrets once rose up, one now finds the Planty Gardens, which form an enchanting threshold to the city. The district has preserved its medieval layout, which, unusually, followed a grid pattern. 'Cracow-life
Kazimierz:
Kazimierz, which lies to the south of the Royal Castle, was once a town in its own right. With its labyrinthine streets& low-standing houses, it feels like a different world to the Old Town, & indeed, you may well get lost here. However, this is not a bad thing, but very much part of the whole experience. The town was founded in 1335 by King Kazimierz the Great, and as its splendid churches and synagogues evoke, it was once a world of prosperity and tolerance. Yet, despite having set sail on such promising waters, the district was not to have an easy journey. After many ups & downs, the death-knell for Jewish Cracow was sounded in September 1939 with the Nazi invasion. A whole world was swept away. Kazimierz is undergoing a major renaissance. Both its Jewish and Christian heritage is being restored, & colour has returned to its alleys and squares. Just wandering about is an experience in itself. All this is to say nothing of the many bars and cafes which are springing up by the dozen
marks the location of the property in Malopolskie & Carpathian Mountains
