A selection of photographs taken in and around Kraków, Poland, during the winter of 2008. Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge the photographs in this album and see the full description of each.
Shades of blue: Rynek Główny, Kraków
Rynek Główny is a medieval market square that lies at the heart of Kraków's Old Quarter and is dominated by St Mary's Church. In the centre of the square stands the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) - once a cloth market but now a a lively location for many market stalls and cafés.
Rynek Główny is a medieval market square that lies at the heart of Kraków's Old Quarter and is dominated by St Mary's Church. In the centre of the square stands the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) - once a cloth market but now a a lively location for many market stalls and cafés.
Tower and Tree. Rynek Główny, Kraków
Dominating the western side of Rynek Główny (Market Square) is the Town Hall tower (Wieża Ratuszowa). This now freestanding tower is the only remains of the Town Hall that was mostly demolished in 1846. The 70m tower now houses many exhibitions and boasts panoramic views of the square from the top.
Dominating the western side of Rynek Główny (Market Square) is the Town Hall tower (Wieża Ratuszowa). This now freestanding tower is the only remains of the Town Hall that was mostly demolished in 1846. The 70m tower now houses many exhibitions and boasts panoramic views of the square from the top.
The side windows of St Mary's church
Looking west along Sienna Street toward Market Square (Rynek Główny) between the churches of St Mary's and St Barbara.
Looking west along Sienna Street toward Market Square (Rynek Główny) between the churches of St Mary's and St Barbara.
The grand St Mary's church against a dark sky
To the east of Krakow's Market Square (Rynek Główny) lies the grand church of St Mary (Kościół Mariacki). This Gothic basilica boasts two towers; the larger of which was extended in the 15th Century to inclue a grand spire. It is from this spire that a bugle-call (hejnał) is played every hour.
To the east of Krakow's Market Square (Rynek Główny) lies the grand church of St Mary (Kościół Mariacki). This Gothic basilica boasts two towers; the larger of which was extended in the 15th Century to inclue a grand spire. It is from this spire that a bugle-call (hejnał) is played every hour.
The Church of St Anne under a blue sky
West of Rynek Główny on Św. Anny is the Church of St Anne. The church was constructed between 1689 and 1703 is one of Poland's finest examples of Baroque architecture. It is the resting place of St John of Kęty a Professor of the Krakow Academy who whas canonised in 1767 after his death in 1473.
West of Rynek Główny on Św. Anny is the Church of St Anne. The church was constructed between 1689 and 1703 is one of Poland's finest examples of Baroque architecture. It is the resting place of St John of Kęty a Professor of the Krakow Academy who whas canonised in 1767 after his death in 1473.
Adam Mickiewicz stands tall before Sukiennice
Standing in front of Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) on the west side of Rynek Główny is the statue of Adam Mickiewicz - a 19th Century Romantic poet. At the base of this popular meeting spot are figures depicting Education, Poetry, Courage and the Mother-land.
Standing in front of Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) on the west side of Rynek Główny is the statue of Adam Mickiewicz - a 19th Century Romantic poet. At the base of this popular meeting spot are figures depicting Education, Poetry, Courage and the Mother-land.
Big Head: Igor Mitoraj's sculpture Eros Bendato
Eros Bendato (Eros bound) is a two-tonne bronze sculpture by the German-born Polish artist Igor Mitoraj. Created in 1999 and moved to Kraków in 2003, the sculpture lies before the Town Hall tower in Rynek Główny.
Eros Bendato (Eros bound) is a two-tonne bronze sculpture by the German-born Polish artist Igor Mitoraj. Created in 1999 and moved to Kraków in 2003, the sculpture lies before the Town Hall tower in Rynek Główny.
The 17th Century church of St Peter & St Paul
The entrance to the 17th Century Baroque church of St Peter and St Paul on Grodzka street in Kraków is decorated with statues of the 12 Apostles.
The entrance to the 17th Century Baroque church of St Peter and St Paul on Grodzka street in Kraków is decorated with statues of the 12 Apostles.
Hen's Claw: the medieval Wawel Royal Castle
The 16th Century castle was home to the Polish kings before the Royal Court moved from Kraków to Warsaw. At this point in time, the castle fell to ruin and it wasn't until the early 20th Century when ownership was given to Kraków that restoration to its present state began. The castle wing shown here is known as the "Hens Claw" (Kurza Stopka).
The 16th Century castle was home to the Polish kings before the Royal Court moved from Kraków to Warsaw. At this point in time, the castle fell to ruin and it wasn't until the early 20th Century when ownership was given to Kraków that restoration to its present state began. The castle wing shown here is known as the "Hens Claw" (Kurza Stopka).
Tower and Tree. Wawel Hill, Kraków
One of the many fortifications surrounding Wawel castle on Wawel Hill. This tower overlooks the Vistula river.
One of the many fortifications surrounding Wawel castle on Wawel Hill. This tower overlooks the Vistula river.
The impressive architecture of Wawel Cathedral
At the heart of Wawel Castle lies the 14th Century Wawel Cathedral: burial place of many Polish Kings. The golden dome seen here tops the Renaissance Sigismund Chapel which was built between 1519 and 1533 as a mausoleum for King Sigismund I by Bartolomeo Berrecci of Florence.
At the heart of Wawel Castle lies the 14th Century Wawel Cathedral: burial place of many Polish Kings. The golden dome seen here tops the Renaissance Sigismund Chapel which was built between 1519 and 1533 as a mausoleum for King Sigismund I by Bartolomeo Berrecci of Florence.
Looking over Podgórze from Bednarskiego Park
The J. Piłsudski Bridge joins Kazimierz to Podgórze on the right bank of the Vistula river. This view is taken looking north from Bednarskiego Park in Podgórze.
The J. Piłsudski Bridge joins Kazimierz to Podgórze on the right bank of the Vistula river. This view is taken looking north from Bednarskiego Park in Podgórze.
Kraków from a bridge over Powstańców Śląskich
To the south of Podgórze is one of Kraków's main rods - Powstańców Śląskich. This picture is taken from the footbridge over the road below Krakus Mound.
To the south of Podgórze is one of Kraków's main rods - Powstańców Śląskich. This picture is taken from the footbridge over the road below Krakus Mound.
Krakus mound against a blue sky
To the north-east of Kraków is Krakus Mound. Thought to be the oldest structure in Kraków it is the 7th Century mythical grave of Prince Krak. Looking south from the top it is possible to see the Tatra mountains on a clear day.
To the north-east of Kraków is Krakus Mound. Thought to be the oldest structure in Kraków it is the 7th Century mythical grave of Prince Krak. Looking south from the top it is possible to see the Tatra mountains on a clear day.
Nature regains control of Liban quarry
Liban quarry lies at the foot of Krakus Mound but more importantly below the remains of the Płaszów Nazi Concentration Camp. It is in this quarry that the concentration camp scenes in Schindler's List were shot. Some of film set including the camp fences is still visible today and can be seen in this image.
Liban quarry lies at the foot of Krakus Mound but more importantly below the remains of the Płaszów Nazi Concentration Camp. It is in this quarry that the concentration camp scenes in Schindler's List were shot. Some of film set including the camp fences is still visible today and can be seen in this image.
Industrial buildings in Liban quarry
Liban quarry lies at the foot of Krakus Mound but more importantly below the remains of the Płaszów Nazi Concentration Camp. It is in this quarry that the concentration camp scenes in Schindler's List were shot. Some of film set including the camp fences is still visible today and can be seen in this image.
Liban quarry lies at the foot of Krakus Mound but more importantly below the remains of the Płaszów Nazi Concentration Camp. It is in this quarry that the concentration camp scenes in Schindler's List were shot. Some of film set including the camp fences is still visible today and can be seen in this image.
The remains of Płaszów Nazi Concentration Camp
Płaszów Nazi Concentration Camp was built by the Germans in 1942 as a forced-labour camp for Jews relocated from the ghettos in Podgórze, Kraków. The camp was closed in 1945 with the remaining prisoners being sent to Auschwitz.
Płaszów Nazi Concentration Camp was built by the Germans in 1942 as a forced-labour camp for Jews relocated from the ghettos in Podgórze, Kraków. The camp was closed in 1945 with the remaining prisoners being sent to Auschwitz.
Chairs of remembrance: Bohaterów Getta Square
Click on the link in the menu to the left for a transcript form the plaque to the side of Bohaterów Getta Square.
Click on the link in the menu to the left for a transcript form the plaque to the side of Bohaterów Getta Square.
Oskar Schindler's enamel factory, Zabłocie
During World War II the German businessman Oskar Schindler was able to save over one thousand Jews from death by employing them in his factories. Schindler's enamel ware factory in Zabłocie remains today with its famous iron gates coverd as the building is turned into a museum.
During World War II the German businessman Oskar Schindler was able to save over one thousand Jews from death by employing them in his factories. Schindler's enamel ware factory in Zabłocie remains today with its famous iron gates coverd as the building is turned into a museum.
Kościuszko Mound rises into the sky
Kościuszko Mound in Zwierzyniec was completed in 1823 in commemoration of Tadeusz Kościuszko - the leader of the insurrection of 1794. The monument was surrounded by a fortress in 1850 by the Austrians with the later addition of the Neo-Gothic chapel of St Bronisława being completed in 1860.
Kościuszko Mound in Zwierzyniec was completed in 1823 in commemoration of Tadeusz Kościuszko - the leader of the insurrection of 1794. The monument was surrounded by a fortress in 1850 by the Austrians with the later addition of the Neo-Gothic chapel of St Bronisława being completed in 1860.
Kraków cityscape from the top of Sikornik Hill
From the top of Kościuszko Mound which is build upon Sikornik Hill, the whole of Kraków can be seen with the Tatra mountains in the distance.
From the top of Kościuszko Mound which is build upon Sikornik Hill, the whole of Kraków can be seen with the Tatra mountains in the distance.
The panorama of the Vistula river from Wawel Hill
The 678 mile-long Vistula (Wisła) river is formed from the Black Little and the White Little Vistula rivers which source in the Carpaithian mountains. The river passes through several Polish cities including Kraków and Warsaw before draining into the Baltic sea.
The 678 mile-long Vistula (Wisła) river is formed from the Black Little and the White Little Vistula rivers which source in the Carpaithian mountains. The river passes through several Polish cities including Kraków and Warsaw before draining into the Baltic sea.
The panorama of Kraków from Krakus Mound
To the north-east of Kraków is Krakus Mound. Thought to be the oldest structure in Kraków it is the 7th Century mythical grave of Prince Krak. Looking south from the top it is possible to see the Tatra mountains on a clear day.
To the north-east of Kraków is Krakus Mound. Thought to be the oldest structure in Kraków it is the 7th Century mythical grave of Prince Krak. Looking south from the top it is possible to see the Tatra mountains on a clear day.