Kraków: The Jewel of Central Europe Photo Gallery by Helen Betts at pbase.com

Kraków: The Jewel of Central Europe

Kraków in southern Poland is simply an amazing city, with numerous churches and museums, interesting architecture, palaces, a royal castle and much more, as well as a vibrant urban life. It's full of tourists (hotels were totally booked when we were there, even in May), but I can see why it's such a tourist mecca -- the city really knows how to cater to them and ensure them a memorable stay. Kraków's Historic Centre is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and well deserving of it.

Church of St. Mary	The Cloth Hall	Church of St. Mary, towers	:: Kraków: Church of St. Mary ::
Kraków Cathedral (1020-1766)	Preferred mode of transportation	Wailing Wall, Remu'h Cemetery	Day for marches on Market Square
The Barbican (1499)	Collegium Novum (19th century)	Wawel Royal Castle (16th century)	Kraków szopka (Christmas crib)
Kraków Fire Department headquarters (1879)	Market Square, the heart of Kraków	Beautiful old buildings on Market Square	Market Square, St. Adalbert's Church
Market Square, Town Hall Tower	Town Hall Tower, detail	Meeting place for Krakówians: Adam Mickiewicz statue	Craft fair on Market Square
Hard Rock Cafe on Market Square	Memorial on Market Square	Old water pump on Market Square	Break dancing on the square
The Cloth Hall (1585)	The Cloth Hall	The Cloth Hall	The Cloth Hall
The Cloth Hall	The Cloth Hall, Polish handcrafts	The Cloth Hall, Polish handcrafts	The Cloth Hall and the challenge of Polish
Wawel Hill, Kraków Cathedral	Kraków Cathedral, Zygmunt Tower	Kraków Cathedral, Zygmunt Chapel (1519-33)	Kraków Cathedral, front
Kraków Cathedral, 'royal' downspout	Kraków Cathedral, downspout detail	Wawel Hill, Royal Castle	Wawel Royal Castle, courtyard (16th century)
Wawel Royal Castle, courtyard (16th century)	Wawel Royal Castle, window of note	Wawel Royal Castle, courtyard (16th century)	Wawel Royal Castle
Wawel Royal Castle, tower	Wawel Royal Castle, tower	Wawel Royal Castle, gate	Wawel Royal Castle
Playing for a złoty at the castle	Dancers at the castle	A vendor with flair	Lady with a baby carriage
St. Florian's Gate (13th century)	St. Florian's Gate, detail	The Barbican	Tower, old walls remnant
New use for old city walls	Old bridge near city walls	Juliusz Słowacki Theatre (1893)	Juliusz Słowacki Theatre (1893)
Juliusz Słowacki Theatre, detail	Juliusz Słowacki Theatre, detail	The theatre's power generating plant	Power plant, marvelous detail
Jewish Quarter, Remu'h Synagogue	Remu'h Synagogue, interior	Remu'h Cemetery	Another section of the Wailing Wall
Jewish Quarter, fence in main square	Jewish Quarter, filming on Szeroka St.	Jewish Quarter, café on the square	Jewish Quarter, Old Synagogue (16th century)
Old Synagogue, interior	Old Synagogue, interior	Jewish Quarter, High Synagogue (1563)	Jewish Quarter, abandoned
Even brides have to wait in line	Looking for a tour?	Bronze man at St. Mary's	Playing for passers-by
Collegium Maius (15th century), oriel window	Collegium Maius, Gothic cloister	Collegium Maius (15th century)	Collegium Maius, Libraria
Collegium Maius, Libraria ceiling	Collegium Maius, refectory	Collegium Maius, in Copernicus' room	Collegium Maius, Great Hall
:: The Many Ornate Churches of Kraków ::	Sunday afternoon along the Vistula	Love at first sight	Flower market at the market
Lots to choose from at the covered market	Polish State Railways HQ	Nice old houses on Matejko Square	Whimsical building on Matejko Square
Globe House with bird downspouts	Pontifical Academy of Theology	Czartoryski Museum	Public school (1892)
Pleasant pedestrian mall	Grand old building	Quaint	Apartment from the castle
Lit up on Market Square	Margrave's House	Eagle House (Dom Pod Orłem)	Imperial and Royal Court Inquisitor’s Office
A 'regal' building	Decorative facade	Pototcki Palace	The modest green house
Boner House	Cherubic details	Madonna House (painted 1718)	Filming in Market Square
Evening entertainment in Market Square	Playing at lunch	One of the best things about Kraków	Farewell to Kraków (but I'll be back!)
:: Auschwitz-Birkenau: A Brief Glimpse ::	:: A Winter Revisit to Kraków ::

Stephanie		10-Mar-2018 10:55
Fabulous review of Krakow Helen! Your photos are amazing! I can't wait to experience this city for myself! :) BV

KAI-WING LEUNG		13-Jan-2017 02:22
An amazing gallery! V

joseantonio		10-Jan-2017 13:20
excellent gallery. I am planning visiting this spring and it has been a nice guide as to what to expect.V

John Barreiro		08-Feb-2013 18:49
Another the fine gallery from you that displays a variety of excellent images. V

Merrill Morrow		02-Feb-2013 19:39
I have followed you in your galleries with great pleasure for quite some time. It is high time I shared with you how much I have enjoyed them. They are superb.

Naret Visesvongsa		25-Oct-2012 00:10
You did a good job for this beautiful place.

George		24-Sep-2012 23:43
You have done Krakow proud. We agree - it is a jewel.

Buba Jafarli		03-Sep-2012 07:21
I see this gallery now presented on the cover page of pbase! Congratualtions on this achievement, Helen! This is a very nice set of images indeed! V.

Anitta		13-Aug-2012 19:07
Well... Now after seeing your gallery, not surprised why you recommended Krakow!! You've done a wonderful job my friend!

Stephanie		12-Jul-2012 08:11
WOW! This is one of the most beautiful galleries I've ever seen! Kraków is definitely a "must see" and has been added to my bucket list! :) BV

Bobby M		08-Jul-2012 01:55
Congrats Helen.You've captured amazing architectural details from around Old Town, also... the way you show everyday's life in your photography(not just in this gallery) is just excellent. Great photo work. V

Krzysztof Masłowski		04-Jul-2012 19:28
Amazing gallery. Very inviting

Chris Spracklen		11-Jun-2012 18:42
Fantastic gallery of yet another place I need to add to my wish list, Helen. Consistently good work throughout! My compliments. V

Jola Dziubinska		07-Jun-2012 14:12
Brilliant street shots, wonderful architecture. Superb collection, Helen. V.

Jeroen Bosman		03-Jun-2012 22:23
great report from this beautiful city, v.

Kinga Chwalkowska Zadlak		03-Jun-2012 20:05
The amazing photo report. ~BV~ Thank you for the beautiful shots.

William Barletta		30-May-2012 15:56
This is a stupendous gallery. Marvelous colors and light. ~V~

Walter Otto Koenig		29-May-2012 22:51
Great gallery with many fine images of this beautiful town. Very nice work Helen. "V"

J S Quesada		29-May-2012 01:42
Thank you for showing us your vision of this great city. Great work! V

John Reynolds LRPS		27-May-2012 06:09
A wonderful gallery. V.

John Hamers		26-May-2012 15:24
Great demonstration of the beauty of Krakow, very nice collection of images Helen !! V

Wilfred Seefeld		25-May-2012 19:55
Great series of excellent captures (as always)! BV

Tom LeRoy		25-May-2012 17:46
A wonderful gallery, Helen. Your church shots are just beautifully done. Look forward to more. V

Michael Tauber		25-May-2012 06:44
Wonderful photographic tour.

Zoltán Balogh		24-May-2012 18:02
I look forward to seeing more and more photos Helen! So far I like it very much! V

Stephanie		24-May-2012 11:27
This is a gorgeous gallery Helen! I shall look forward to seeing more of your visit to Krakow! V

Michel Duval		23-May-2012 20:55
Excellent photo reportage. Bravo. V

Jola Dziubinska		23-May-2012 01:07
Beautiful gallery, voted.

woody34		23-May-2012 00:20
This is becoming an incredible collection of beautiful photographs..

Range View		22-May-2012 22:41
A wonderful selection so far Helen. Look forward to seeing more when you get back home.! V Barbara

Ali Majdfar		22-May-2012 06:39
Stunning captures! ~V

alfredo camba jr.		22-May-2012 05:44
Beautiful and interesting gallery!! V

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