In case you travel to Krakow by a train, the Juliusz Slowacki Theatre is probably the first building you will see after exiting the train station. The decision to construct this theatre was controversial right from the beginning. Not only was this theatre preferred over the plan of a better sewage system, the building was to be constructed after demolishing the Church belonging to the Order of the Holy Ghost.
 
The building of the theatre got preferential treatment once again during its construction and went on to become the first building in Krakow with electric lights. Once the theatre officially opened in 1893, it became a huge success and displayed the cultural richness of the country. By 1909, the building was christened Juliusz Slowacki Theatre, in honour of the Polish poet and playwright.  The theatre first suffered at the hands of the economic downturn and then surrendered to the Nazi invasion. A German troupe performed at the theatre during the Nazi occupation of Poland. The generation of Polish artists after the War was greatly talented and resurrected the glory of the Slowacki Theatre and Polish theatrics.
 
Today, the theatre continues to bring new ideas to the society while holding on to old values through its authentic Polish styled presentations. Even if you do not like the theatre, you must go to the Slowacki Theatre to catch a glimpse of over a century old oil-painting depicting the allegory of Tragedy and Comedy which is used as the stage curtain even today.

The city of Krakow is filled with treasures of the past that appease the appetite of a historian and an admirer of architecture. The Mariacki Church is one such example. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Mariacki Church stands adjacent to the Main Market Square in Krakow. The Church is a beautiful illustration of merger of different styles of architecture. Together, these styles brew a singular timeless piece of structure that stands as an example for several other churches all over Poland and the world. The façade of the Church consists of two high raised uneven towers, of which one is constructed in Gothic style while the other has a Renaissance style of architecture. The Gothic tower boasts of a magnificent spire built in 1478 that measures 81 metres and has a gold coated crown. The other tower, measuring 69 metres, has a Renaissance roof and was constructed in 1592. The tower has five bells, two of which date back to the 14th century. On the front side of the Church is a beautiful Baroque designed porch that was constructed in the mid-18th century. Not only is the exterior of the Mariacki Church magnificent, the interiors also make their mark in terms of grandeur and excellence. The Mariacki Church houses the famous altarpiece of Veit Stross, the largest Gothic altarpiece in the world. One of the national treasures of Poland, this ornate wooden altarpiece is a must see on the visit to Krakow.

With its magnificent charm and timeless aura, the Sukiennice welcomes you into its history of luxury, wealth, grandeur and trade. The most happening shopping complex of the medieval era, the Sukiennice was the place where merchants and traders would meet to finalize deals and get the best bargains for the goods in the market. At first sight, the Sukiennice puts time on hold. The opulence and splendour of the building is proof of the glory the city enjoyed in the medieval century.

The first Cloth Hall came into existence in the mid-13th century. However, the first stone building was erected only a century later. The market was housed in a beautiful Gothic structure which lasted till 1555, when a fire razed the entire construction. The Renaissance structure that proudly stands today was built in the 16th century. It was during this period that the Sukiennice and the Cloth Hall at its heart, excelled to their fullest glory. However, the political unrest and partition of Poland took a serious toll on trade and the Sukiennice. In the late 19th century, the building was renovated and today the Cloth Hall stands as one of the most famous buildings in Poland and a World Heritage Site deemed by UNESCO.

Today, the medieval market is the best place for souvenirs and keepsakes from Krakow. One can dive into the rich variety of goodies that flaunt the skill and craftsmanship of the artists of the city.

Bridging the gap between Krakow’s rich and abundant past and its dynamic present is the Wyspianski Pavilion that stands at ul Grodzka 19. The building is home to the stained glass work of Stanisław Wyspiański that was designed for the Wawel Cathedral but never made it to the final structure.

Unique in its own accord, the building’s façade is made up of thousands of bricks that act as a giant curtain, lighting up the interiors in their own inimitable way. The bricks of different colour manage to bring to the structure a unique shade every time the position of the brick is moved. Unconventionally placed, the bricks are mounted vertically on a metal rod that allows the user to manipulate the whole façade or an individual brick as he desires.

The building started taking form in 1998 as just a vague idea for the summer of 2007 when the city would celebrate its 750th birthday. Today the building stands as an information centre and exhibition pavilion that is dedicated to promoting sights, sounds and experiences in Krakow and the Malopolska region of Poland. Designed by Polish architect Ingarden & Ewy, the Wyspianski Pavilion is a truly one of a kind in Poland and a must see on your visit to Krakow.

Raised beside the austere St Andrew’s Church is the St. Peter and St Paul’s Church in Krakow. Unlike its neighbour, the Sts. Peter and Paul’s Church stands out with its immaculate façade and famous collection of life size sculptures of the 12 disciples erected at the fence of the Church.

The Church was funded by King Sigismund III Vasa for the Jesuit Order, which had arrived in Poland to stand against the influence Reformation and its ideas. Built during the 16th and 17th century, the Church was constructed with a grand vision in mind, which is probably why the Church was the first Baroque styled building in Poland. It is also speculated that so much was spent on the ornate façade that construction of the entire building was done in plain brick. The project was undertaken by Italian architect Giovanni de Rossiwhich and was taken further by Józef Britius. However, majority of the work done on the Church is credited to Giovanni Maria Bernardoni.

The architecture seems greatly influenced by Church of Gesu which is in Rome. The interior of the church may not be as impressive as the outside albeit, is remarkable. The Church also possesses the longest Foucault pendulum (devise to demonstrate the Earth’s rotation) in Poland, which is brought out for demonstration every Thursday.

With the wealth of history and abundance of heritage, the city of Krakow is a haven for admirers of the past. The Wawel is one such place in Krakow where one can get enchanted by the city’s legendary sagas. The Wawel Hill was formed about 150 million years ago and is majorly made up of Jurassic lime stone that dates back to the Oxfordian age. The Hill comprises many historically significant buildings that date back to different eras. Surrounded by water and marshes, archaeologists found evidence of settlers on the Wawel Hill that dates back to early Palaeolithic Age. Situated on the left bank of the Vistula River, Wawel played a significant role in the political and religious history of the city from the first millennium AD. The Wawel Hill was the Royal Residence of the first historical ruler of Poland as well as his successors. Also, the Hill was the first place to have been a Christian centre in Poland. It is one of the first few places in the country to have a Romanesque building erected. With its rich and complex past, along with many historically significant sites, the Wawel has loads to offer its visitors.

One of the most outstanding works of Renaissance architecture in Poland, the King Sigismund Chapel stands one among the several domes that make up the Wawel Cathedral. Adorned with a gold plated dome, the Chapel has earned its reputation as one of the finest structures that represent the Tuscany Renaissance style of architecture north of the Alps.

The Chapel was designed by renowned Italian architect Bartolomeo Berrecci in the early 16th century, especially for the Jagiellon dynasty. It houses the tombs of Sigismund II Augustus, Anna Jagiellonka as well as their financier King Sigismund I. The King is believed to have built the Chapel after the death of his wife Barbara. He then sent for Berrecci, who came along with some of the finest artists to work on the Chapel. Not only are the exteriors of the Chapel awe striking, the interiors also live up to the expectations of those who walk in.

From the red marble sculptures of the saints to the altar piece designed by Hans Durer everything within the Chapel is one of a kind. The sarcophagi of the members of the dynasty need special mention as each of them is a master piece in its own right.