This was part of Central Europe - Day 2 馃嚨馃嚤 馃敆.
I joined the Old Town Krak贸w tour at 2:00 PM. We started at the Krak贸w Barbican, a formidable circular fortified outpost that once served as the primary gateway to the city. Just behind it stands St. Florian’s Gate, the last remaining significant portion of the city’s medieval walls. Nearby, I admired the late-Baroque facade of the Church of the Transfiguration (Piarist Church), which is famous for its ornate exterior and historical crypts.
From there, we made our way to the Rynek G艂贸wny, the Main Market Square, which is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe. At its center stands the Krak贸w Cloth Hall, a Renaissance trading center, and the leaning Town Hall Tower. We also visited St. Mary’s Basilica, and the small, ancient Church of St. Adalbert, which dates back over 1,000 years.
We then headed to see the Collegium Maius, the oldest building of the Jagiellonian University. It has a beautiful 15th-century arcade courtyard.
Walking toward the royal district, we studied the Wawel Bricks (Cegie艂ki Wawelskie) lining the castle walls. These thousands of engraved bricks were funded by ordinary Polish citizens in the early 20th century to help restore the castle after years of neglect.
Our last stop was Wawel Hill, the historical heart of Poland. We visited the Wawel Cathedral, where Polish kings have been crowned and buried for centuries, and explored the grounds of the Wawel Royal Castle. I also found the bronze tactile model of Wawel Hill, which offers a detailed miniature view of the entire castle complex.
