Krakow

Brief history

The history of Krakow as an organized urban centre begins sometime around the VII-VIII century AD. From the very beginning, power in the city was concentrated on the Wawel Hill. One of the most important dates in the city's history was the spread of the Magdeburg Rights to the region on June 5, 1257. The current urban layout of the Old Town and the seat of the ruler – Wawel were formed at that time.

The city’s location at a crossroads of trade routes connecting Ruthenia to Germany and the Czech Republic and Pomerania to Hungary, Turkey and the Balkans, allowed Krakow to develop quickly.

The period of rapid development of the then capital of Poland was between the 15th and 16th centuries. It is known as the Golden age of Krakow. It attracted the greatest artists whose works we can admire to this day: St. Mary's altar by Wit Stwosz or the cloister in Wawel designed by Bartolomeo Berrecci.

After the golden age, however, the rise of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth demanded for the capital to be moved to Warsaw. The Swedish invasion, the subsequent economic collapse and partitions (between its neighbours Russia, the Habsburg empire and Prussia) left a deep scar on the fate of the country and Krakow.

After Napoleon’s defeat, Krakow was restored to its previous borders but also granted partial independence. It was later annexed by the Austrian Empire and was granted autonomy. Over the following decades, Krakow gradually became a national symbol and artistic centre.

It was here when at the outbreak of WWI Józef Piłsudski formed a small cadre military unit to fight for the liberation of Poland. The Austrian grip over the city was shattered with the assumption of power by the Polish Liquidation Committee in 1918. Krakow became an important centre of administration, culture and art. Industry began to develop dynamically.

World War II wreaked havoc on the city - primarily in the areas of science, culture and economy. After the war, Krakow's privileged position changed: the intention of the then authorities was to limit the role of the intelligentsia. The expression of these aspirations was the construction of Nowa Huta and the influx of huge numbers of workers. However, it turned out differently and artistic and scientific circles are still shaping the character of the city making up one of its greatest assets.