One of the oldest and largest cities of Poland is Krakow. It is a city alive with soul and character. Krakow is Polands capital of culture. The city boasts the best museums in the country and some best theatres. Two Nobel Prize winners in literature is among its residents. It was named a European City of Culture in 2000. Krakow came through World War Two unscathed. It has retained a wealth of old architecture from different periods, the tallest structures dominating Krakows skyline are the spires of old churches. The Main Market Sq is flanked by museums, historic buildings and churches. Stare Miasto is the central historical district of Krakow. It is the most prominent example of an old town district in all of Poland. Ringed by parkland, the Old Town is both compact and charming. There are more than 100 pubs and bars in the Old Town alone. Many are in vaulted cellars and are patronised by chain smoking Poles and many do not close until the early hours of the morning. Some offer meals or snacks but most are just watering holes. Famous for their superb beers and vodkas, Poles are not shy when it comes to the odd drink. The Old Town district has more bars per square metre than anywhere else in the world. By Polish standards, Krakow is a food paradise. The Old Town is tightly packed with gastronomic venues, serving a wide range of cuisines catering to all. Krakow has plenty of budget eateries called jadlodajnia offering hearty Polish home style meals for a song. Krakows Rynek Glowny is considered one of the most beautiful squares in the entire world. Known as the Market Square or the Main Square in English, in Poland it is known by its Polish title, the Rynek Glowny. The Rynek is also the term used by many foreigners and ex pats who know the city quite well. Krakows Cloth Hall, the Renaissance monument of commerce it is the worlds arguably oldest shopping mall and has been in business in the middle of Krakow's central Grand Square for 700 years. Nowadays stalls on the ground floor and shops in the arcades mostly sell assorted souvenirs. Upstairs, since the 1880s the Krakow National Museum has exhibited its unparalleled collection of the 19 century Polish art, including Jan Matejkos famous movie like giant paintings. One of two Cloth Halls spacious cafes, the Noworolskis on the east side, has been opened since 1910 when it got its present elegant Art Nouveau decor.
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