Around the centre of Krakow

I arrived in Krakow in south-western Poland a couple of days ago aware in advance that it is one of the more attractive European cities and my rambles through the city centre did not disappoint. Nor, obviously, did it disappoint the tens of thousands of people I came across. The streets were literally teeming with people of all ages, shapes and sizes, and nationalities. These images are mostly confined to the historic core, which unlike many European cities escaped war damage. Some of the buildings and sights are clearly ancient, perhaps going back a thousand years, but some of the newer buildings seemed to date from the 19th century as attested by the date stamps on their facades. Also, these images were taken on more than one walk around the centre in different lighting conditions. Apologies, too, for the first image which is kind of cute. I took it with the fish-eye setting on the camera before I realised my mistake! The rest of Krakow's buildings stand square.

This is street outside the front of the lovely hotel where I'm staying - right in the centre of the old city.

Just up the road is this beautiful church - both inside and out. I wonder if this is the church where the late Pope, John Paul 16th, preached before his elevation.

The streets teem with horse-drawn carriages like this.

The cloth merchant's hall, now a market centre.

And buildings strangely reminiscent of the main square in Warsaw I posted some time ago. Pavement restaurants are everywhere under large umbrellas.

And I still haven't worked who the dude is on the statue!

A band tuning up for a rock concert in the main square.

An elegant mansion, possibly tied to the Jagiellonian University, whose centenary is being celebrated this year. Oops, that's wrong. It's actually the 650th anniversary of one of the oldest institutions in central Europe.

An interesting spelling.

The central city lies inside a band of green parkland, which is very pretty indeed.

Another part of Jagiellonian university.

Lots of narrow winding streets.

The Wawel Palace - home to Polish kings. I gather that Krakow was the capital for some time.

Intriguing arches leading where?

Another church - there are indeed many.

Horse carriages everywhere! And nicely turned out.

Part of the old wall of the city with a lovely tower.

The Barbican - not spelt this way in Polish, but pronounced the same.

An Art Deco intrusion.

Try visiting here some time. It's worth the trip.

AS