KrakowInformer.com

Krakow UNESCO Sites

Krakow and its surroundings is the richest place in Poland when it comes to sites included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage. Two of a total five – the Krakow Old Town and the Salt Mine in Wieliczka – figure on the UNESCO list since 1978.

Krakow Old Town District (On the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1978)

The Krakow Old Town is certainly one of world's most beautiful sites, and no wonder it was included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites as soon as it was created. The magnificent Main Square (Rynek Glowny) with the monumental, renaissance edifice of the Sukiennice and the stunning, Gothic Mariacki Church lure millions of tourists to Krakow every year. The Krakow Old Town with its original grid of streets remains a monument of the medieval art of city planning. But what figures on the UNESCO World Heritage list as the Krakow Old Town is not limited to what was once confined inside the Cracow City Walls. The adjacent district of Kazimierz, once a separate town, and the Krakow Wawel Castle are also included as parts of this site.

Wieliczka Salt Mine near Krakow (On the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1978)

One of Poland's oldest salt mines (an older one is in another near-Krakow town, Bochnia), the Wieliczka Mine was included in the World Heritage list in 1978, on the second UNESCO session. Although only about 1% of the total 300 kilometer corridors are available for the Wieliczka visitors, they still offer a marvelous experience. The magnificent chapels, including the biggest Kaplica Swietej Kingi, filled with salt sculptures and even chandeliers are a breathtaking sight. All those who have more than a day to spend in Krakow simply must go for a Tour of Wieliczka.

Auschwitz-Birkenau (On the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979)

Auschwitz, the concentration camp in Oswiecim, is the only Nazi camp to be included in the UNESCO list. Auschwitz lies just 50 kilometers from Krakow, and is easily available by car, bus or train. Also, you can book an Auschwitz Tour through Krakow Informer.

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska (On the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1999)

The second most popular pilgrimage destination in Poland (the first one being Czestochowa) is just 35 kilometers from Krakow. Kalwaria Zebrzydowska: the Mannerist Architectural and Park Landscape Complex and Pilgrimage Park – the name that figures on the UNESCO list describes the 17^th century chapel complex quite well. Kalwaria was also one of the most beloved places of pope John Paul II. You can see Kalwaria Zebrzydowska and other places marked by John Paul II during the Wadowice Tour offered in our Krakow Tours Section.

Wooden Churches of Malopolska (On the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2003)

The 'Trail of Wooden Architecture' of the Lesser Poland (Malopolska) Province includes numerous fantastic, wooden churches. Six of them, located in Bonarowa, Blizne, Debno Podhalanskie, Haczow, Lipnica Murowana and Sekowa, have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2003, while three younger ones (in Lachowice, Orawka and Szarowa) were close to obtaining this status. These UNESCO sites are situated 50-150 kilometers from Krakow.