(1) THE LESSER SQUARE
The smaller square (Rynek Maly) tucked away behind the giant main square of the Old Town, is a quiet little delight.
(2) KAZIMIERZ
A suburb founded in the 14th century, now right next to the old city centre. It became — for 400 years — the ultimate Jewish paradise in a hostile Europe. Synagogues, market, homes…it may very well have been the informal capital of Jewish Europe, with a population in the thousands. The Nazis liquidated Kazimierz, and the latter-day Communists left it alone (as they had no clue what to do with it).
But after decades of neglect, Kazimierz is now THE happening area of Krakow, with innumerable shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants along the main drag (Jozefa St.) and the pseudo-square (ulicia Szeroka…literally meaning “Wide St.”). We didn’t get to spend much time there, but here are a few snapshots of the area…a place we intend to explore in greater depth on my next visit.
(3) OUR UNIVERSITY CAFE HIDEAWAY
It was built on the top of a cliff, overlooking the river, to serve as the house for the Nazi Governor of Krakow. Now it’s owned by the city’s main university, and it has a terrace cafe offering seductive views AND seductive ice cream!
(4) THE TRAMS
I can’t get enough of them…like a kid in a candy store! They come in three flavours: the oldest are German, the mid-century cars are Communist antiques, and the newest ones are sleeky, ultra-modern rail vehicles. I’ll leave it to you to decipher which is which… ;-)
