If you want to see a real, functioning synagogue then definitely pay the ~3 or 4 zl (?) entrance…read moreand have a look! You get to enter the synagogue itself (which understandably seems to be under constant restoration) and the cemetery next to it which is also an experience. The outer walls are mounted with old/broken gravestones post WW2 on the inside so it looks like a mozaic which I think is very unique.

12 zloty to read about 4 or 5 Jewish families who lived in the Jewish district of Krakow before…read moreWWII, and what became of them. Also can see their photos. Not worth 12 zloty. Nor 0 zloty. Needs more content and a better display.

We visited this synagogue today (it's also known as the High Synagogue) - and although it's no…read morelonger in use as a synagogue, there's a wonderful photo exhibit on the second floor portraying what happened to six families in Krakow during the war (with some detailed/extensive and very interesting written information). Also, there's a branch of Austeria Bookstore on the first floor (see my separate review) and the selection is *superb*. A very sweet-natured young woman works there and we had a delightful conversation with her.

This morning a tour guide from the Auschwitz Jewish Center (which includes the synagogue/museum)…read moretook us on a tour of the synagogue (which was the last remaining one in the town and it comprises part of the Auschwitz Jewish Center), and he also took us to the (small) Jewish cemetery. We had arranged all of this in advance, including a private tour guide for Auschwitz & Birkenau - in addition to our driver, who picked us up at our hotel in Krakow early this morning and brought us back early this evening - via the Auschwitz Jewish Center employee at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in NYC (the AJC in NYC doesn't charge for making the arrangements, but they gratefully accept donations). She also arranged for us to have lunch after the tour, at Cafe Bergson (which is immediately adjacent to the AJC, and it's inside what was formerly the house of the last remaining Jewish resident of the town. His family donated the house to the AJC after his death, and a fundraising campaign enabled extensive renovations). Our tour guide from the AJC was a very well-informed and very enthusiastic young man (he's spending a year doing this in lieu of military service) and the cost was only 10 PLN per person (afterwards we met the director of the AJC [a very nice man] and we asked what was an appropriate amount to tip the guide [20 PLN]). We paid only 25 PLN/each for a *delicious* lunch (vegetarian sandwiches, cheesecake, mineral water and coffee). The young woman working at the café was very friendly, too.

I really enjoyed my visit to the Auschwitz Jewish Center and synagogue. The exhibits in the museum…read moretell a fascinating story of Jews in Oswiecim from past to present. The synagogue is beautifully preserved and serves as an educational center for locals and visitors. I would recommend pairing any visit to the Auschwitz Memorial Museum with the Auschwitz Jewish Center and synagogue in order to get the full picture of what Jewish life what like in Poland, and Oswiecim specifically.

We visited the cemetery (English translation: New Jewish Cemetery) early this morning, whereby we…read morehad it all to ourselves. Much of the cemetery is in a state of disrepair (particularly in terms of toppled gravestones), although a sign indicated the City of Krakow is in the process of restoring it. The early morning sunlight, the quiet, not having encountered anyone else and the sad historical reality all contributed to a very poignant and thought-provoking atmosphere (given the nature of an [old] Jewish cemetery in Poland - and particularly the fact that many of the people buried there either survived the Holocaust or else they perished in the Holocaust).

There's no way that you can stay in Kraków and not see Wawel Castle. It's the heart and soul of the…read morecity. A national treasure! The castle grounds, cathedral, and royal residences are all very impressive. You can spend as much time as you want up there taking in the views of the city and the castle complex. There's no admission fee to walk around the castle grounds. It's a small fee to enter the cathedral to see the exhibits, royal tombs, and the bell tower. There are separate fees to enter the residences and the museum. I didn't see any combo tickets offered to see everything. However, I believe you can purchase them online if you know exactly what you want to see on the day of your visit. We just bought our tickets at the cathedral ticketing office. There wasn't much of a wait in the afternoon on a weekday. We actually visited twice during our stay since our hotel was nearby. The first time was during a walking tour of Old Town. We decided to go back a 2nd time on our own to see the cathedral & gardens. It was a beautiful sunny day.

Beautiful castle grounds and a great place for the kids to run around. Amazing architecture over…read moremany periods on top of each other. Visit the church.

The Wawel Cathedral was the highlight of a visit to Wawel Castle and grounds…read more Outside was an impressive view and more than the castle itself. Tickets were purchased across from the cathedral entrance. Admission included a climb up to the bell tower, crypts and the separate Archdiocesan Museum. When climbing the stairs up to the entrance make sure to check out the huge bone hanging above to the left. Maybe a whale or purported dragon bone. Inside was ornate and full of royal or VIP tombs as expected. Not all chapels were open for visitors that day but St JPII's one was a popular stop eventhough it was empty. The royal crypts were accessible but not the crypt holding many of Poland's famous poets or authors. It was under renovation until the end of March. The climb up Sigismund tower was narrow at times but does open up to a decent size room with Krakow city views from two sides. Lots of closeups with the various bells. Traffic jams do happen on the way up when a tour group beats you in so be prepared for slow progress. The crypts were brightly lit and held the remains of a US Revolutionary War general and other military heroes, a Polish President and First Lady, and of course royals. It was brightly lit and well organized. Mass was held regularly and open to the public. You have to let the security guard in the front know you want to attend and he will go over the rule of attendance. Seating was limited and visitors not allowed to wander in the cathedral before or after.

It's the cathedral at Wawel Castle. If anything, visit it to learn about the Polish Kings and to…read moreclimb up to Sigismund Tower. It is said that touching the heart of Sigismund Bell will bring you good luck. We were told that it will bring you marriage. One husband is enough for me. Haha! There are 5 bells in the tower, so be sure that you're touching the right one. This is also the cathedral where Father Wojtyła (Pope John Paul II) celebrated his very first Holy Mass at the crypt of St. Leonard. I would have taken a picture of it, but they don't allow photography in the cathedral with the exception of the bell tower. I was only able to snap one of the informational signs next to the tomb of King Władysław II Jagiełło (former Duke of Lithuania) before being told it's not allowed. He was married to King Jadwiga of Poland. Yes, female monarchs held the title of "King" in those times. Isn't this the first diarcy in history? It's my first time reading about 2 Kings ruling over a country. He became the sole King of Poland after her death from complications after childbirth. Did you know that she was only 12 years old when they married in 1836? Apparently, it wasn't controversial at the time. The only controversy was regarding her previous marriage or unmarriage to the 14 year old William of Austria (Habsburg Dynasty). Was it consummated, or not? We'll never know because he was expelled out of Poland. All controversy aside, she did a lot of good for the Polish people during her 15 year reign. You'll get to see her tomb in the cathedral, and many others. It's a beautiful cathedral, and well-worth the small entrance fee. The ticket office is in a separate building near the entrance. We purchased an individual ticket without the tour option. I didn't think it was needed since the most important parts had description markers. Don't forget to take pictures of the dragon bones hanging at the entrance on your way in. You will exit through a different path that takes you through more crypts on your way out. It's a part of Kraków's history that shouldn't be missed.

Located below Wawel Castle and Cathedral along a popular walkway next to the Vistula River was the…read morefire breathing statue of Smok the dragon. The statue was created from the legend of a dragon that lived below Wawel castle and terrorized the city. After sacrificing sheep or virgins to keep the dragon happy, it was finally defeated after it ate a ram filled with sulphur. While the ram smoldered inside, the dragon drank water from the river to put it out but instead blew itself up. You can see the blackened mouth of the dragon from its regular fire breathing. Luckily I happened to walk by as a crowd grew around Smok and within five minutes the flames started and lasted for around 10 or 15 seconds. I'm not sure if there was a regular schedule but worth seeing if you're in the area.

It's a popular attraction when walking along the Vistula River. I mean, how can you go to Kraków…read moreand not see Wawel Castle and its famous fire breathing dragon? Impossible! The dragon is a Polish legend. The story appears to be told differently each time. Was it slain by Prince Krakus, or by the town shoemaker? The plaque on the castle wall says it was Krakus, Prince of Poland. All I truly know is that this 7 headed dragon statue was created by Bronislaw Chromy in 1972. We were told it breathes fire every 10 minutes, but the timing of it varies. It was more in the range of 5 to 7 minutes apart. The dragon no longer takes text messages. That's right. It could no longer handle the mass texts commanding it to breathe fire. So, everyone just hangs around the dragon waiting for it to happen. It's actually kind of funny if you think about it. When it finally happens, everyone sighs or groans at the end. The event goes by so quickly. Be prepared to take a video of it. It doesn't look so impressive in a picture. It's just the novel thing to do when visiting Kraków. There's a tourist trappy attraction at the top of the castle hill called "Dragon's Den." Some will pay admission to walk down steps into the cave below the castle. It eventually leads you down to the dragon statue on the riverwalk. It may be cool for families with small children. We were happy just seeing it while walking to our hotel. It's enjoyable no matter what route you take to get there.