Krakow Info - Juliusz Slowacki Theater

Juliusz Slowacki Theater
In 1893 Krakow acquired the brand-new theater building at 1 Sw. Ducha Pl. to house its much envied company of players. The splendid edifice was modeled on the grand Paris Opera. Vast Gothic complex of medieval hospital and monastery with church had been demolished to make room for what was then a state-of-the-art construction. The interior also was impressive. Most of all the huge painted curtain with the allegory of tragedy and comedy has gained enduring fame as an outstanding work of art. Krakow’s City Theater renamed the Juliusz Slowacki Theater in 1908 introduced to this country modern stagecraft, drama, and acting at the turn of the 20th century. Its thespians staged most of important plays of the period and endorsed best Polish and foreign playwrights. Among them was Stanislaw Wyspianski, Krakow’s painter and poet of genius, who wrote all his milestone dramas with this theater in mind on top of revolutionizing the art of stage design. Apart from its primary theatrical function the Juliusz Slowacki Theater has always served as an all-purpose public venue. Now it regularly doubles for a Krakow opera house. And occasionally it substitutes for a congressional center. In the early 1990, for its centennial, the theater underwent a thorough renovation.

Wawel Royal Castle
Home to three dynasties of Poland's monarchs. Its stately halls and exquisite chambers are filled with priceless art, best period furniture and rare ancient objects. The collection of the 16th-century monumental Flemish tapestries is matchless.

Wawel Cathedral
Poland's impressive national shrine shelters plenty of superb church art. Its giant bell of 1520 ranks with the world's largest. Most Polish kings and their family members are buried in the cathedral, its chapels and crypts.

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.

Basilica of the Virgin Mary's
The immense Gothic church, Krakow's principal temple since the 13th century, shelters the world's greatest Gothic sculpture among its many excellent works of art

Cloth Hall
The world's oldest shopping mall has been in business for 700 years. The present Renaissance edifice dates from 1555.

Town Hall Tower
Krakow's leaning tower was built by the end of the 13th century.

City Walls
700-year-old main city gate with adjoining mighty walls and towers.

Planty Garden Ring
Park of 30 varied gardens among old trees round Krakow's Old Town historical district

Collegium Maius
15th-century impressive Grand College of the Krakow university where Copernicus once studied.

Krakow mummies
Picturesque 17th-century church and monastery shelter numerous naturally mummified bodies in their crypts.

Kanonicza Street
The most beautiful of Europe's ancient streets,arguably

Krakow Old Town Historical District
Poland's prime tourist attraction and a must-see in Central Europe boasts numerous world-class monuments, charming vistas, delightful atmosphere, and the best restaurants.

Wawel Royal Castle

Wawel Cathedral

Grand Square

Basilica of the Virgin Mary's

Cloth Hall

Town Hall Tower

City Walls

Planty Garden Ring