Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish scientific, cultural and artistic life. As the former national capital with a history encompassing more than a thousand years, the city remains the spiritual heart of Poland. It is a major attraction for local and international tourists, attracting seven million visitors annually. Famous landmarks include the Main Market Square with St. Mary's Basilica and the Sukiennice Cloth Hall, the Wawel Castle, the National Art Museum, the Zygmunt Bell at the Wawel Cathedral, and the medieval St Florian's Gate with the Barbican along the Royal Coronation Route. In 1978, UNESCO added Kraków's historic centre, which includes the Old Town, Kazimierz and the Wawel Castle to the list of World Heritage Sites.

Following the invasion of Poland in September 1939, the Nazi German forces turned the city into the capital of the General Government, a colonial authority headed by Hans Frank and seated in Wawel Castle. In an operation called "Sonderaktion Krakau", more than 180 university professors and academics were arrested and sent to Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camps, though the survivors were later released on the request of prominent Italians.[40][41] The Jewish population was first confined to a ghetto and later murdered or sent to concentration camps, including Płaszów and Auschwitz in Oświęcim.

VIDEO CLIPS Auschwitz - a clip from the movie 'Oak Hall Eastern Europe and Russia 1989' filmed in August of that year some three months before the fall of the 'Iron Curtain'. Introduced by Ian Mayo Click Here (7 minutes)

The Germans advance into Poland.  (An Outreach Europe Production) (2 minutes)

The Auschwitz Experience Click here for 'youtube'. (10 minutes)

Pictures Auschwitz Birkenau Concentration Camp

During our time in Krakow we will be visiting The Old Town as we walk through it's narrow atmospheric streets, The Royal Castle on Wawel Hill, remaining fragment of city fortifications. The Main Square - the largest public square of medieval Europe - is dominated by the towers of the Gothic St Mary's Church. Every hour the famous Krakow bugle call is played from the taller one.  Kazimierz found its way to the silver screen thanks to Steven Spielberg, who came here to shoot Schindler's List (also known as Schindler's Ark), a multiple-Oscar winner. we go outside the historic core of Kazimierz, to see the New Jewish Cemetery at ul. Miodowa 55, which is a very moving experience. We will then visit The Jewish Ghetto in Kraków (Cracow) which was one of the five main ghettos created by Nazi Germany during their occupation of Poland in World War II.

The Salt Mines