Kraków

Modern landmarks

The old city of Kraków (Stare Miasto) has a rich architecture, mostly Renaissance with some examples of Baroque and Gothic. Kraków's palaces, churches and mansions display a richness of color, architectural details, stained glass, paintings, sculptures, and furnishings.

Related Topics:
Stare Miasto - Renaissance - Baroque - Gothic - Stained glass - Painting - Sculpture

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Among the most notable of the city's hundreds of historic buildings are: the Royal Castle and Cathedral on Wawel Hill, where King John III Sobieski is buried; the medieval Old Town with its beautiful square; Market Square (200 meters on a side); dozens of old churches and museums; the 14th century buildings of the Jagiellonian University; as well as Kazimierz, the historical centre of Kraków's Jewish religious and social life.

Related Topics:
Royal Castle - King John III Sobieski - Meters - 14th century - Jagiellonian University - Kazimierz

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The Gothic Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary (which is in fact a basilica) (or Ko?ció? Mariacki in Polish)]] stands by the market place. It was built in the 14th century, and its famous wooden altar was carved by Veit Stoss. Every hour, a trumpet call called the hejna? is sounded from the church's main tower.

Related Topics:
Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Veit Stoss - Hejna?

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Kraków hosts many annual artistic events, including some of international significance, such as the festival of Short Feature Films, Biennial of Graphics, and the Jewish Culture Festival. There are several active theaters, including:

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• The Old Theatre (Kraków) (Stary Teatr)
• the Slowacki Theatre
• Kraków Opera
• Kraków Operetta

An ugly landmark is the incomplete high-rise Szkieletor.

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Nearby points of interest include the salt mine in Wieliczka, the Tatra mountains, the historic city of Czestochowa, the former concentration camp at Auschwitz, and Ojcowski National Park.

Related Topics:
Salt mine - Wieliczka - Tatra mountains - Czestochowa - Auschwitz - Ojcowski National Park

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Kraków contains 28 museums and art galleries, such as the National Museum (Kraków) and Czartoryski Museum (Muzeum Czartoryskich).

Related Topics:
National Museum (Kraków) - Czartoryski Museum

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Kraków is a major centre of education. Today there are 18 university-level institutions with about 10,000 faculty and 110,000 students.

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Notable modern artists from or living in Kraków include:

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• Ewa Demarczyk
• Tadeusz Kantor
• Nigel Kennedy
• S?awomir Mro?ek
• Krzysztof Penderecki
• Zbigniew Preisner
• Wis?awa Szymborska
• Maciej Male?czuk
• Zbigniew Wodecki
• Adam Marczynski