Kraków is situated on the Vistula River, ecologically significant, historically important for trade and commerce, and symbolically meaningful to Poles.

Kraków's Old Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978. Its heart is Main Market Square with St. Mary's Basilica, Mickiewicz Monument and Cloth Hall, surrounded by buildings of various architectural styles.

For several centuries Kraków was the political and monarchic center of Poland and the Lithuanian Commonwealth. A vast defensive structure including the Barbican was built to enclose and protect the old town and Wawel Hill.
 

The gothic St. Florian's Gate and city walls are used by local artists for display. The original walls once had 39 towers and a 6 meter wide moat which is now pretty Planty Park.

A traditional form of transportation, horse-drawn carriages, are now a popular way for tourists to view the city.
 

An interesting photo exhibit showed scenes of central Kraków before its quite recent (Post-Soviet) restoration.
 

A lovely feature in Kraków is the use of brass models near significant structures so visually impaired people can learn about them tactilely.

The altarpiece at St. Mary's Basilica is unique for its massive wood carvings completed by Veit Stoss in 1489, and recovered from the Nazis in 1946. Nuns open and close the three panels at noon and dusk.
 

Medieval cellars and workshops have been restored for modern use such as in this McDonalds Restaurant dining area.
 

Souvenir shops and confectionaries present their treats in delightfully themed displays such as this candy store.
 

Public art emphasizes the historical and cultural accomplishments of Kraków's people.
 

A major attraction in Krakow is Wawel Castle, which was the residence of kings and the symbol of Polish statehood. It is a complex of towers, garrisons and residences which were added over centuries.
 

Visitors to Wawel Castle can see the cathedral, the treasury and armoury, and the private royal apartments which now house a vast museum of art and tapestries.

Kraków has 24 centers of higher education, where tuition is free for Polish citizens. The oldest, Jagiellonian University, dating to 1354, counts among its most famous students Nicolaus Copernicus.

Kazimeirz district, the historic Jewish Quarter, has been gradually  restored and is now a tourist attraction with rebuilt synagogues and Jewish-themed festivals, bookstores and restaurants.

 Stolarska Street, the oldest in Kraków, is lined with foreign consulates on one side and quirky traditional cafes serving pickled herring, beet soup and vodka on the other.

A presentation of songs and speeches in front of Mickiewicz Monument was a reminder that over 10% of Kraków's population is now comprised of Ukrainian refugees.