The ancient, royal city of Cracow is a unique symbol of Polish national identity. Enchantingly picturesque, rich in relics of all epochs, it represents the thousand-year-long history of the Polish nation. In Cracow you can admire many different styles of architecture, unique Romanesque objects, monumental Gothic edifices, and masterpieces by some of the most outstanding architects of the Renaissance and Baroque period.

Cracow has always been a centre of Polish culture and science. Damaged by fires, wars and foreign occupation, it has always revived and continued to fascinate with its beauty.

As long ago as the 11th century. Cracow became the capital city of Poland. The Royal Castle and cathedral on Wawel Hill was the coronation and burial place of Polish monarchs. In the 13th century the layout of the city, which has been preserved till today, was established with what is still one of the biggest market squares in Europe (200 m x 200 m), a GothicRenaissance Cloth-hall (Sukiennice) and the Town-hall tower. The city fortification system was built in the 13-15th centuries, parts of the wall, four turrets and a barbican have survived to this day. The site of former walls has been replaced by a green belt called Planty. In the 14th century the Academy of Cracow (later the Jagiellonian University) one of the oldest universities in Europe was founded. Nicolaus Copernicus (Mikolaj Kopernik) was one of its students.

Cracow is renowned for its numerous old churches, including the Gothic St. Mary's Church famous for its magnificent altar carved by Wit Stwosz. Probably the most famous landmark in Crakow is Wawel Castle situated on Wawel Hill overlooking the river Vistula. This Renaissance castle boasts a beautiful arcaded courtyard, magnificent interiors and the famous the Flemish tapestries. As well as the Renaissance castle Cracow also has a number of beautiful palaces of the same period. These belonged to the rich citizens of the city. One example is the Pod Baranami Palace. After the partition of Poland (by the end of the 18th century), Wawel became a necropolis for national heroes (Prince Józef Poniatowski, Tadeusz Kościuszko) and poets (Adam Mickiewicz, Juliusz Słowacki). Later this role was taken over by the church vault of the Paulite Fathers in Skałka. In this period many museum collections were founded, such as the art collection of the Czartoryski Family (with Leonardo da Vinci's "Lady with an Ermine"). Cracow is also the city of Karol Wojtyła (the pope John Paul II), the composer Krzysztof Penderecki, and many other famous people. Cracow is one of the greatest centres of science and Cracow University of Technology is one of its universities. In 1978 Cracow was entered in the UNESCO World Heritage Register.

More information about the city on: http://www.krakow.pl

Cracow is located 300 km south of Warsaw and has very good air, train and road connections.

Cracow has direct air connections with: Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Milan, Torino, Newcastle, Stockholm, Cologne/Bonn, Dortmund, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Munich, London, Paris, Oslo, Prague, Rome, Vienna, New York and Budapest.

More information on: http://www.krakowairport.pl/en/

The Balice Airport is located just 15 km from the city center.

How to get to the city center:

• public bus (line number 292 bus stop Cracovia Błonia, then walk c.a. 10 minutes).
  
  One way ticket costs: 5,00 PLN
  
  Bus schedule on: www.mpk.krakow.pl/en/


• radio taxi 919 – cost c.a. 80 PLN (Monday – Saturday 6:00– 22:00) and c.a. 120 PLN
  (Monday – Saturday 22:00– 6:00 and on Sunday)


• Train from the Airport Balice – Railway Station cost c.a. 12,-PLN
  http://www.krakowairport.pl/pl/cat/pasazer,c70/transport-i-parking,c76/jak-dojechac-do-krakowairport,77 -Polish
  http://www.krakowairport.pl/en/cat/pasazer,c70/transport-i-parking,c76/jak-dojechac-do-krakowairport,77 - English

Private car Mercedes with chauffeur – cost: 25 € p.p.
If you wish to order such transfer, please contact: kongres@jordan.pl

Main train station (Dworzec Główny PKP) is located in the very center of the city.
There is a good train connection between Warszawa and Cracow (express trains goes every hour during day).
More information on: http://rozklad.pkp.pl/bin/query.exe/en

The Polish currency unit is zloty (PLN), divided into 100 groszy.
1 EUR = c.a PLN 4,20 ( June 2013)
1 USD= c.a PLN 3,20 (June 2013)
Current exchange rate on: http://www.nbp.pl
Most foreign currencies can be easily exchange either in banks or in private exchange offices ("kantor"). Foreign currency (cash) is not acceptable in shops.

The common opening hours are 10.00 – 18.00 Monday to Friday.
On Saturdays shops are closed at 14:00 and are closed on Sundays.
Payment in shops: by cash (Polish money, EUR) or credit cards.

Banks are open Monday to Friday 8:00 – 18:00 and are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Credit cards accepted in Poland: Visa, MasterCard, American Express.
Cash withdrawal machines, restaurants, car rental agencies and most shops accept all major credit cards.
Post Offices
Post offices are open Monday to Friday 8.00 – 16.00 and closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Post boxes are red and post is usually collected twice daily. Stamps can be bought only at post offices.

Police, Fire Brigade, Ambulance - Phone: 112 or
Police: 997
Fire Brigade: 998
Ambulance: 999

More information on: Contact: kongres@jordan.pl