Main venue of the Meeting
Pałac pod Baranami
Rynek Główny 27, 31-010 Kraków
Poland
Pod Baranami Palace is a remarkable place, its history dates back to the 16th century. Through many centuries it has been the centre of culture of Krakow, with its bustling literary life where the guests were captivated by the beauty of this place. The building stands out with its arcade courtyard, façade in classicism style and with its impressive rooms. It is located in the centre of Krakow, at the main Market Square.
Welcome to Krakow!
"When I first came to this city from Canada at the turn of the millennium, I was looking for a temporary adventure, a year or two of exploring and teaching English in the cultural capital of a nation only beginning to open up as a free and stable democracy. I had never planned on staying this long, but ten years later, I’m still here. Why? There are so many reasons that it’s impossible to choose just one, or even a few. In fact, I still haven’t experienced everything Krakow has to offer. I’ll try to narrow things down for you here, to help you make the most of your time in this truly magical place.
Like most Polish cities, life in Krakow revolves around its Old Town, the geographical and spiritual centre, consisting of a square with an ancient town hall, a church (or in Krakow’s case, the twin-towered cathedral of St. Mary) and a variety of carefully preserved commercial and residential buildings. Unique to Krakow is the long, elegant Sukiennice, known in English as the Cloth Hall, once a textile market and now home to one-of-a-kind shops, cafés, a gallery, and a brand-new underground historical museum. Radiating outwards from the square are a number of streets to be strolled and savoured, lined with cafés, pubs, shops, and all kinds of eateries. Something for everybody, really. Encompassing the Old Town is a green belt, a unique oval-shaped park known as Planty, which replaced the medieval city walls demolished in the early 19th century. It’s the perfect shady place to sit, recharge, and plan your next adventure.
A lot has changed since my arrival: whole districts have been rejuvenated, glittering modern shopping centres have popped up, and more and more visitors have discovered the riches of the city. But Krakow’s ability to charm and amaze has been retained, and the fundamental, magical, multifaceted soul of this city will always endure."
Keith from Canada
Info about Kraków
KRAKÓW – currency, money, cash...
The Polish currency is Polish "złoty" (PLN), Euro (EUR) is not accepted. Exchange offices are located in the city centre, at the airport and at the railway station. ATMs – there are plenty in the city centre, also in malls. In most stores debit and credit cards are accepted.
KRAKÓW – cuisine
Kraków is famous for exquisite cuisine and rich nightlife. It is a city with the highest number of restaurants and pubs in Poland. We recommend the delicious Polish cuisine and also many restaurants specialising in international cuisine – especially Italian. The most expensive places are located in the Main Market Square, but simply wander off into the scenic side streets leading to the Market Square to find lower prices. Example prices: coffee PLN 6 –10, EUR 1.50 – 2.50, beer PLN 6 –10, EUR 1.50 – 2.50, lunch PLN 20 – 40, EUR 5 – 10.
KRAKÓW – culture
Kraków is one of the most important Polish cultural centres. It hosts the most significant art, film and theatre festivals and boasts many historic buildings, as well as numerous museums and cultural institutions. Here are some of the most important places, with links to their websites:
Wawel Royal Castle
Historic royal residence.
Over centuries the castle has been repeatedly extended and renovated. Several fires, looting, and foreign armies, along with the residence aging, prompted many reconstructions in new architectural styles and its external appearance and the look of its halls have changed several times.
Currently the Royal Chambers, the Treasury, the Cathedral and the Dragon's Den are open to the public
National Museum in Kraków
A museum and institution with many branches throughout the city, including the Czartoryski Museum which houses the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci – Lady with an Ermine.
Museum of Contemporary Art in Kraków (MOCAK)
The Museum was opened this year and its collections include works of international contemporary art, education materials, as well as research and publishing projects. The two most important goals of MOCAK are to present art of the last two decades in the context of post-war avant-garde and conceptualism, as well as to explain the importance of creating art by highlighting its cognitive-ethical values and relations with everyday life.
Bunkier Sztuki Contemporary Art Gallery
One of the best contemporary art galleries in Poland – a place for meeting art and artists directly. It organises exhibitions, film screenings and discussions with artists.
Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology
Founded in 1994 on the initiative of film director Andrzej Wajda and his wife, actress, director and scenographer, Krystyna Zachwatowicz, it is a place where the Kyoto-Kraków Foundation actively promotes Japan's culture, art and technology. On 1st September 2007 Manggha centre changed its status to a museum that in future is to play the role of a European centre of the Far East.
National Stary Theatre
A famous Polish theatre founded in 1871, currently of national status. It is where famous figures of Polish theatre, including Konrad Swinarski, Andrzej Wajda, Jerzy Jarocki created their performances.
Juliusz Słowacki Theatre
Open continuously since 1893. One of the most famous and important Polish theatres. The building designed by Jan Zawiejski is considered one of the most valuable monuments of theatrical architecture in Europe.The inscription on the façade says Kraków to the national art. The interior is decorated with frescoes by a Viennese artist Anton Tuch and the famous front curtain was made by Henryk Siemiradzki. The stage is adjacent to the historic dressing-room of the great actor, Ludwik Solski.
Laznia Nowa Theatre
A centre of independent theatre and culture in the Nowa Huta district (a post-communist working class district built in the 1950s).
More information about Kraków and its culture is available on the city website:
www.krakow.pl
