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History of Krakow Early middleages 966 - 1370 Krakow is capital of Poland The Golden Age 1386 - 1572 the times of the Renaissance Electing Kings and Dividing the country 1572 - 1795 Poland disappears from the map K&K Monarchy 1795 - 1918 The Habsburg's Reich third largest city First and Second World War 1914 - 1945 A short period of democray, then the terror of the Nazis Socialism 1945 - 1989 Years of stagnation before the final upheaval After the Iron Curtain 1989 until today Difficulties with a new economy

Early middleages Archaeological finds give proof of human settlements at the shores of the Wisla river long before Christian times. According to a legend the city has its name from "King Krak" who freed the city from a man eating dragon that had his cave beneath Wawel castl (this cave can be visited today, descending the castle hill). The king had the body of a dead sheep stuffed with sulphur and glowing ashes. The dragon ate the sheep, became thirsty, drank the water of the Wisla river and exploded. In the year 965 the city's name is mentioned in the diary of an arab merchant. At those times Krakow was the crossing point of 5 important commercial routes, among others the "Bernsteinstraße" connecting the Baltic sea and the south of Europe. In the year 1040 King Kasimierz makes Krakow his residence. The city becomes cpital of Poland. After the death of Kasimierz the kingdom falls apart and is unable to defend itself. Several times, in n 1241, 1242, 1259, 1287 Poland is invaded by the Mongols. Krakow is looted and set to flames. According to the legend, a guard on a watch tower was about to warn the citizens of Krakow of the approaching mongolian horsemen by blowing his trumpet when an arrow pierced his neck. Today, there is a daily trumpet signal from the church tower commemorating this incidence that suddenly stops. This signal is being broadcasted live throughout Poland. After its destruction, in the years following 1259 Krakow is rebuilt in a rational way, the city map still shows a rectangular street plan. In these years, the first walls were built from stone, not wood. Many foreigners, especially Germany, immigrate. German becomes an official language. King Kasimir the Great founds the Jagellionic University, one of the first universities in Europe.

Krakow City Guide | Orientation | Sightseeing | Going Out | Accommodation | E-mail