Cracow

Cracow (Polish: Kraków, German: Krakau) is the second-largest city in Poland of which it was once (1320-1610) the capital. It is situated 705 feet above sea level in an extensive plain at the confluence of the Rudowa and the Vistula rivers. In 1905 its population was 91,300 (one quarter of whom were Jews) including the garrison of 6000 men. By 1935 its population had risen to 221,300 and by 2022 stood at over 760,000.

Cracow was originally inhabited by the Slavic Wislanie tribe (Vistulans) who occupied what was later known as Little Poland until the 10th century when they were conquered by the Poles who annexed Cracow and its hinterland in 999. It was an important episcopal seat as early as the 11th century. The town was destroyed by the Tartars in 1241, but was rebuilt by German colonists in 1257 when it received "Magdeburg Rights", which consisted of a Municipal Constitution. In 1320 it was chosen by King Władysław I Łokietek as a coronation town and residence of the kings of Poland. The favourable position of the town, its adhesion to the Hanseatic League, and the foundation of the Jagellonian University by King Casimir 'The Great' in 1364, all contributed to the progress of Cracow, which reached the zenith of its prosperity in the 16th century. The period of decline began with the transference of the royal residence to Warsaw in 1610, and the Swedish wars of the 17th century, but until 1734 the Polish kings continued to be crowned and buried at Cracow.

In the final partition of Poland in 1795 Cracow fell to Austria. In 1815 it became the capital of a small state, under the 'protection' of the three adjoining empires, but it was again annexed by Austria after the insurrection of 1846. Despite becoming part of Austrian Galicia until 1919, and the industry of the Austrians in transforming the place into a modern city, with railways and fine buildings, etc., Cracow never lost its thoroughly Polish character.

Cracow contains many splendid buildings including St. Mary's church, a Gothic basilica founded in 1223 (much altered); the Tuchhaus (Polish: Sukiennice) or cloth hall which dates from the 14th century (altered by Mosca of Padua in the 16th century and largely rebuilt in 1876-79); the Dominican Church, a Gothic structure of the 13th to 16th centuries; the Franciscan Church, 13th century (rebuilt in 1850); the castle or palace on Wawel hill at the south-west of the old town, founded in the 14th century by Władysław Łokietek and subsequently restored and added to; the Gothic Cathedral on the west side, erected in 1320-64 on the site of an earlier church, of which only the crypt remains, and consecrated in 1359 - the burial-place of the Polish kings and heroes. In the first five years of the 20th century the cathedral was thoroughly restored and has impressive interiors. The New University, a Gothic edifice designed by Ksiezarski, was built between 1881-87 by the Austrian authorities and has much within of interest. The Czartoryski Museum in Pisarska Street was known for its arts and antiquities. The Habsburg railway station is still in use today.

During World War II Cracow was part of the occupied General Government region, the Governor, a German lawyer, Hans Frank, making his headquarters and residence in the palace. The city was virtually undamaged.

Following WWII Poland was occupied by the Soviet Union who established a Communist puppet state. During this period, which ended in 1990, Cracow's hinterland was heavily industrialised.