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Krakow's
Manggha Center of Japanese Art and Technology
Krakow’s
outpost of the Japanese creativity and ingenuity opened in
1994. The Manggha Center of Japanese Art and Technology
remains biggest such institution in the whole Central and
Eastern Europe. Its wave-shaped building on the bank of the
Wisla river just opposite the Wawel Hill was designed by Arata
Isozaki, prominent Japanese architect. It houses the Krakow
National Museum’s Japanese collections such as fabulous
Japanese woodcuts, splendid artifacts of ancient handicraft,
ornate weaponry, etc. Many of them were amassed by Feliks “Manggha”
Jasienski, a wealthy Polish connoisseur, by the end of the
19th century and donated to the museum in 1920. The center is
a brainchild of Andrzej Wajda, the renowned Oscar-awarded
Polish film maker, who also contributed his $340,000 Kyoto
city award and helped to raise the outstanding $5.5 million to
erect it. The Manggha Center organizes various temporary
exhibitions, concerts, presentations, etc., pertaining mostly
but not exclusively to Japan’s national heritage or its
present-day achievements.
Grand
Square
Krakow’s central Grand Square (Rynek
Glowny), the largest plaza of medieval Europe and
one of the world’s finest with its spectacular
landmarks, has remained the hub of the city since
the 13th century.
Palace
of Arts
Temple of Fine Arts from the turn of the
20th century.
Bunker
of Arts
Bulwark of the newest art.
International
Culture Center
Exhibitions, conferences, and much more.
Pod
Baranami Cabaret
Poland's cult venue for high-brow
entertainment.
Jama
Michalika Cafe
Century-old Bohemian hideout in its 1908
Art Noveau splendor.
Center
for Jewish Culture
19th-century prayer house turned modern
cultural venue safeguards and presents heritage
of Poland’s Jews.
Villa
Decius
Almost perfect Renaissance Italian villa
shelters Krakow's European Academy.
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