Hello, I am the backpacker and today I will tell you why Krakow is the most stunning city in Poland
I can guarantee you, that people from Warsaw after reading this will get a little bit angry. There is some kind of jokes (or not) that people from Krakow and Warsaw always arguing which city is better and more beautiful. But, I do not know any person who would not fall in love with Krakow from the first time. If you still won’t, just wait for the night and go to the main square… and you will feel like you are in a fairytale where the Cinderella just left her glass slipper. Krakow for sure is the gem of Poland, and today I will tell you something about this city from the different perspective – why this city is so stunning and why it is easy to fall in love with it.
The unforgettable melody of the city
The one main point, why this city will stick in your head forever is its melody. In the main square of the city (actually it is a marker square) in Polish called Rynek Glowny, every hour a golden trumpet shows in the west window of the higher tower of the Basilica of the Virgin Mary’s. The melody of the trumpet is like a symbol of Krakow. It resounds in every corner of the historical part of the city.
Later, the trumpet melody is repeated towards the North, East, and South. Just after you will hear it, you will feel how this melody is making this city so special. The tradition of it started from the middle ages, every time when the city’s gates were opened, or when the guardians saw the coming fire or enemy, the trumpet started to call. Also, you can hear that at some point the bugle melody stops abruptly. The legends say, when the Mongols were going to the city, in the 13th century, the poor trumpeter was shot in the throat by a Tartar archer, while he was trying to warn Krakow people with the trumpet alarm.
Stunning views of Rynek Glowny
The grand square of Krakow is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe (200 meters square). It is surrounded by beautiful townhouses and the Cloth Hall in the center. Over the centuries, in the main square all the celebrations, parades, even the kings swore and public executions were held. During the night, the square turns into a fairytale full of lights and wonderful carriages around. Around the square, there are dozens of small and cozy restaurants, cafeterias and pubs so you can find everything you want there. Also, one more interesting fact, the Cloth Hall was built in the 14th century and was one of the first shopping malls the world!
Polish cuisine and pierogies stuffed with Raffaello
The trip is not a trip if you are not interested in local cuisine. Although the Polish cuisine has some similarities with Lithuanian one, there is one thing that you must try while visiting Poland – are Polish pierogies. It is a dumpling, made from the unleavened dough stuffed with a savory or sweet filling and cooked in the boiling water. Trust me, it is worth to try! One of the most favorite pierogies’ restaurants in Krakow is Pierogarnia Krakowiacy and there are so much of various pierogies that to choose the one really takes time!
For the sweethearts, around the city a lot of places and food trucks where you can try chimney cake (which originally came from Hungary but spread in Poland).
Also, one more popular dish, better to call it fast food is Polish Zapiekanka – a sandwich made of half of the baguette topped with meat, mushrooms, cheese and other ingredients (there are a lot of different flavors) and toasted. Sounds very easy, but the flavor is perfect!
There are so much more to tell about Krakow. These aspects are the first things which come to my mind when I am thinking about Poland gem Krakow.