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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

The Golden Age The years of the Renaissance in the late middle ages become Krakow's heydays. Since 1386 the Jagellionian kings rule the reunited Poland. The Wawel of Krakow is their residence. In 1430, Krakow becomes "Hansestadt" i.e. a member of a commercial network of mostly German sea ports. Many Germans, but also Italiens, Czechs and Jews make Krakow their home town. Jews must live outside the citywalls, in a town of their own, called "Kaszimirez". However, Krakow is more tolerant towards Jews than other cities in Europe. The newly founded university - on of the first universities at all - attracts students from all European countries. Here, Kopernikus studies astronomy before becoming an assistant to Tycho Brahe in Prague. The years of the Jagellionic Kings Zygmunt I and Zymunt II are named "The Golden Age" (1506 - 72). Italien craftsmen and architects build the Wawel and many other buildings, all in the new style of the Italian Renaissance. The German sculptur Nikolaus Veit Stoss, born in Nurmberg, carves the Altar of Mary, the largest altar of the middle ages. The Cloth Halls, probably the most remarkable building of Krakow, also called Sukkienice are built in these years, too. In 1572 Zymunt II dies without any heirs to the throne. From now an the Polish kings are being elected by earls and counts. These times of the >> "Elected Kings" are years of political instability. Poland becomes vulnerable to foreign powers.

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