Culture of Kraków 1299250 218141892 2008-06-09T10:07:25Z Baalaal 7190975 Kraków is considered by many to be the [[Culture of Poland|cultural]] capital of [[Poland]].<ref name = "Poland">[http://www.krakow-info.com/culture.htm Kraków, the cultural capital of Poland] </ref> It was named the [[European Capital of Culture]] by [[European Union]] for the year [[2000]]. The city has some of the best museums in the country and several famous theaters. It became the residence of two Polish [[Nobel Prize|Nobel]] laureates in literature: [[Wisława Szymborska]] and [[Czesław Miłosz]], while a third Nobel laureate, the Yugoslav writer [[Ivo Andric]] also lived and studied in Krakow. It is also a home to one of the world’s oldest universities, the [[Jagiellonian University]] of [[Kraków]]. [[Image:Z krakowskie.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Folk dancers in traditional costumes from Kraków (regarded as Polish national costumes)]][[Image:ArrasWawel.jpg|thumb|130px|right|[[Wawel Castle|Wawel]] Tapestry]] == Museums and National Art Galleries== * [[Wawel Castle]] on [[Wawel Hill]] - National Art Collection. Wawel is the former residence of three dynasties of Polish monarchs. Royal Chambers feature art, period furniture, Polish and European paintings, collectibles, and an unsurpassed display of the 16th-century monumental [[Flemish people|Flemish]] [[Tapestry|tapestries]]. Wawel Treasury and Armory features Polish royal memorabilia, jewels, applied art, and 15th to 18th century arms. The Wawel Eastern Collection features [[Turkey|Turkish]] tents and military accessories. * [[National Museum in Kraków|Kraków National Museum]], the richest museum in the country with multiple branches in downtown Kraków:<br> **[[National Museum in Kraków|The Main Building]] (at 3 Maja St). . It is the chief venue for temporary exhibitions. The gallery of the 20th century Polish art (upstairs) houses nearly 500 works by Polish modern artists. <!-- No break -->[[Image:Lady with an Ermine.jpg|thumb|160px|right|"Lady with Ermine," by [[Leonardo da Vinci]].]] **[[Czartoryski Museum]] and Arsenal, world-famous for [[Leonardo]]'s painting of [[Lady with an Ermine]]. The museum has other old masters on display including a dramatic landscape by [[Rembrandt]]. ** [[Manggha]], Centre of Japanese Art and Technology <ref name = "Manggha">[http://www.krakow-info.com/museums2.htm Manggha, Centre of Japanese Art and Technology] </ref> ** [[Stanisław Wyspiański]] Museum <ref name = "Wyspiański">[http://www.krakow-info.com/museums2.htm Stanisław Wyspiański Museum]</ref> **[[Sukiennice Museum|The Gallery of the 19th Century Polish Art in Sukiennice]], with the collection of some of the best known paintings and sculptures of the [[Young Poland Movement]]. **[[Jan Matejko]] Manor <ref name = "Matejko">[http://www.krakow-info.com/museums2.htm Jan Matejko Manor in Krzesławice]</ref> ** Emeryk Hutten Czapski Museum <ref name = "Czapski">[http://muzeum.dev.softhis.com/Hutten-Czapski-Museum.85.0.html?&L=1 Emeryk Hutten Czapski Museum]</ref> ** [[Józef Mehoffer]] Manor <ref name = "Mehoffer">[http://www.krakow-info.com/museums2.htm Józef Mehoffer Manor]</ref> * [[Historical Museum of Kraków|Kraków Museum of History]]<br>''Divisions :'' **[[Historical Museum of Kraków|The Main Building]] (at [[Main Market Square, Kraków|Main Market Square]], ''Rynek Główny 35''), devoted to the history of the city and its citizens with collections of maps, documents and city stamps, scepters and rings of Lord Mayors, guild objects, portraits of nobility, and the Kraków's famous [[Kraków szopka|Christmas cribs]]. ** [[Town Hall Tower in Kraków|Town Hall Tower]] ** [[Barbican of Kraków|Barbican]] ** [[Krzysztofory Palace]] ** Szołayski Museum <ref name = "Szołayski">[http://www.kasprzyk.demon.co.uk/www/Krakow2.html#Szolayski%20Museum Szołayski Museum]</ref> ** The Silesian House <ref name = "Silesian">[http://www.krakow-info.com/museums.htm The Silesian House]</ref> ** History of theatre in Krakow museum <ref name = "Cross">[http://www.krakow-info.com/museums2.htm “At the Sign of the Cross” House: History of Theatre Museum] </ref> ** [[Old Synagogue (Kraków)|Jewish Museum at the Old Synagogue]] ** Hipolit Manor <ref name = "Hipolit">[http://www.krakow-info.com/museums2.htm Hipolit Manor]</ref> ** Celestat, the Residence of the Sharpshooters’ Society <ref name = "Celestat">[http://www.krakow-info.com/museums2.htm Celestat, the Residence of the Sharpshooters’ Society]</ref> ** Artistic Salon of the District of Zwierzyniec <ref name = "Salon">[http://www.krakow.pl/en/kultura/instytucje/?INS_TYP=4&INS_ID=224 Artistic Salon of the District of Zwierzyniec]</ref> ** Museum of National Remembrance at "Under the Eagle Pharmacy" <ref name = "Eagle">[http://www.krakow-info.com/museums2.htm Museum of National Remembrance at "Under the Eagle Pharmacy"]</ref> ** History of [[Nowa Huta]] Museum <ref name = "Huta">[http://www.mhk.pl/english/oddzialy_nhuta.php History of Nowa Huta Museum]</ref> [[Image:Collegium Maius Krakow June 2006 002.jpg|thumb|130px|right|[[Collegium Maius]]]][[Image:Wieliczka-saltmine-kinga.jpg|thumb|130px|right|[[Wieliczka Salt Mine|Salt Mine in Wieliczka]]]][[Image:Drakken.JPG|thumb|130px|right|[[Polish Aviation Museum|Aviation Museum]]]][[Image:Szopka krakowska1.JPG|thumb|160px|right|Nativity Cribs Festival]][[Image:Botanical garden Krakow (2006-05-13) 04.jpg|thumb|160px|right|[[Botanical Garden in Kraków]]]] * Collegium Maius Museum of the [[Jagiellonian University]]. The 15th-century [[Collegium Maius, Kraków|Collegium Maius]] is the oldest building of the Jagiellonian University featuring ancient lecture rooms, communal halls, former professors’ quarters, library and treasury with the Gothic [[sceptre]]s of [[rector]]s and the golden ‘[[Globus Jagellonicus|Jagiellonian globe]]’. The exhibits include medieval science instruments, old globes, paintings, collectibles, furniture, coins and medals. ''(See also: [[Collegium Novum]])'' * [[Wieliczka Salt Mine]], in continuous operation since the [[13th century]] <ref name = "Wieliczka"> [http://www.krakow.pl/en/kultura/instytucje/?INS_TYP=4&INS_ID=188 Wieliczka Salt Mine tourist route]</ref> * Cathedral Museum <ref name = "Cathedral">[http://www.krakow-info.com/museum1.htm Cathedral Museum]</ref> * Museum of Archaeology <ref name = "Archaeology">[http://www.krakow-info.com/museums.htm Museum of Archaeology]</ref> * [[Polish Aviation Museum]] * Archdiocesean Museum <ref name = "Archdiocesean">[http://www.krakow-info.com/museums.htm Archdiocesean Museum]</ref> * Museum of Independence <ref name = "Independence">[http://www.krakow.pl/en/kultura/instytucje/?INS_TYP=4&INS_ID=193 Museum of Independence]</ref> * Armed Effort Museum (by appointment only)<ref name = "Armed">[http://www.krakow.pl/en/kultura/instytucje/?INS_TYP=4&INS_ID=195 Armed Effort Museum]</ref> * Museum of Ethnography <ref name = "Ethnography">[http://www.krakow-info.com/museums.htm Museum of Ethnography]</ref> * Museum of Pharmacy of the [[Jagiellonian University]] <ref name = "Pharmacy">[http://www.krakow-info.com/museums2.htm Museum of Pharmacy of the Jagiellonian University]</ref> * Museum of Geology of the [[Polish Academy of Sciences]] <ref name = "Sciences">[http://www.krakow-info.com/museums2.htm Museum of Geology of the Polish Academy of Sciences]</ref> * Czartoryski Library <ref name = "Library">[http://muzeum.dev.softhis.com/Dzial-XVI-Ksiegozbior-Czartoryskich.183.0.html?&L=1 Czartoryski Library]</ref> * Museum of the Home Army ([[Armia Krajowa|AK]]) <ref name = "AK">[http://biega.com/museumAK/AKMuseum.html Museum of the Home Army (AK)]</ref> * Museum of Photography <ref name = "Photography">[http://www.krakow-info.com/museums2.htm Museum of Photography]</ref> * Museum of Natural History <ref name = "Natural">[http://www.krakow-info.com/museums2.htm Museum of Natural History]</ref> * Museum of Zoology <ref name = "Zoology">[http://www.krakow-info.com/museums2.htm Museum of Zoology]</ref> * Rydlówka Manor: museum of the [[Young Poland]] movement <ref name = "Rydlówka">[http://www.krakow-info.com/museums2.htm Rydlówka Manor: museum of the Young Poland movement]</ref> * The Cricoteka Centre for Documentation of [[Tadeusz Kantor]] Art <ref name = "Cricoteka">[http://www.krakow.pl/en/kultura/instytucje/?INS_TYP=1&INS_ID=5 The Cricoteka Centre for Documentation of Tadeusz Kantor Art]</ref> * Museum of Urban Engineering <ref name = "Urban Engineering">[http://www.mimk.com.pl Museum of Urban Engineering, homepage],</ref> a.k.a. Transportation Museum <ref name = "Transport Museum">[http://www.cracow-life.com/culture/culture_details/664-Transport_Museum About Transportation (Urban Engineering) Museum at cracow-life.com]</ref> == Selected Festivals == *International Jazz Festival <small>''(April)''</small> *International Film Festival <small>''(May)''</small> *[[Juwenalia|Juwenalia Student Festival]] <small>''(May)''</small> *[[Lajkonik]] Parade <small>''(June)''</small> *Enthronement of the Cock King <small>''(June)''</small> *Wreaths (''Wianki'') Midsummer Festival <small>''(June 24)''</small> *Summer in Krakow Festivals <small>''(June, July)''</small> **Summer Jazz Festival <ref name = "Pod Baranami">[http://www.cracjazz.com/ Summer Jazz Festival official website]</ref> **[[Jewish Culture Festival in Kraków|Jewish Culture Festival]] <small>''(June 25 - July 3)''</small> **Festival of Military Bands **Street Theater Festival **Music in Old Krakow **Krakow Jazz Festival *International Summer Festival of Organ Music <small>''(July - August)''</small><ref name="Organ Music">[http://www.cracow-life.com/poland/summer-organ-concerts Summer Festival of Organ Music]</ref> *Folk Art Fair <small>''(August)''</small> *International Competition of Contemporary Chamber Music <br> <small>''(September 16 - 29)''</small> *Organ Music Festival <small>''(October)''</small> *[[Zaduszki]] Jazz Festival <small>''(November)''</small> *Festival of Animated Film <ref name = "Animation">[http://www.culture.pl/en/culture/artykuly/wy_ff_ofafa_2004 Festival of Animated Film info at culture.pl]</ref> *Christmas Market <small>''('till December 26)''</small> *[[Kraków szopka]] Nativity Cribs Festival <small>''(first Thursday of December)''</small> *New Year's Party at the [[Main Market Square, Kraków|Main Square]] <small>''(December 31)''</small> == Theatres == Kraków is the home of many renowned theares. The most notable are: * National Stary Theatre, a.k.a. The Old Theatre <ref name = "Stary">[http://www.culture.pl/en/culture/artykuly/in_te_stary_krakow National Stary Theatre (a.k.a. The Old Theatre)]</ref>, at 1 Jagielonska St. [[Image:Slowacki by MSteckiw.jpg|thumb|right|190px|Slowacki Theatre in Krakow [[Kraków - Stare Miasto|Old Town District]]]] * [[Juliusz Słowacki Theatre]], at 1 Sw. Ducha Square * Bagatela Theatre <ref name = "Bagatela">[http://www.krakow.pl/en/kultura/instytucje/?INS_TYP=2&INS_ID=85 Bagatela Theatre]</ref>, at 6 Karmelicka St. * The Ludowy Theatre, a.k.a. The People's Theatre <ref name = "Ludowy">[http://www.krakow.pl/en/kultura/instytucje/?INS_TYP=2&INS_ID=88 The Ludowy Theatre a.k.a. The People's Theatre]</ref>, at os. Teatralne in [[Nowa Huta]] * Groteska Theatre of Puppetry <ref name = "Groteska">[http://www.krakow.pl/en/kultura/instytucje/?INS_TYP=2&INS_ID=76 Groteska Theatre of Puppetry]</ref>, at 2 Skarbowa St. * Scena Stu Theatre <ref name = "Stu">[http://www.krakow.pl/en/kultura/instytucje/?INS_TYP=2&INS_ID=73 Scena Stu Theatre]</ref>, at 16 Krasinskiego St. * [[Łaźnia Nowa Theatre]] in [[Nowa Huta]] == Music == [http://www.opera.krakow.pl Cracow Opera House], performing operas and operettas, is also in charge of the ''Summer Festival of Opera and Operetta''. [[Capella Cracoviensis]] runs the ''Music in Old Cracow International Festival'' &mdash; venue for performers from everywhere in the world. Music organizations and venues include: [http://www.filharmonia.krakow.pl/index.php?PID=1&m=1 Kraków Philharmonic], Sinfonietta Cracovia (a.k.a. The Orchestra of the Royal City of Kraków), The Polish Radio Choir of Kraków, Organum Academic Choir, Mixed Marian Choir Association (''Mieszany Chór Mariański''), Krakow Academic Choir of the [[Jagiellonian University]], Krakow Chamber Choir, Amar Corde String Quartet, Consortium Iagellonicum Baroque Orchestra of the [[Jagiellonian University]], Brass Band of T. Sendzimir Steelworks, and Camerata Chamber Orchestra of Radio [[Kraków]]. == Cultural Centres == *''Nowa Huta'' Cultural Centre, at Aleja Jana Pawła II 232 *International Centre of Culture, at Rynek Główny 25 *Old-Town ''Staromiejskie'' Cultural Centre for Youth, at ul. H. Wietora 13/15 *''Białoprądnicki Manor'' Cultural Centre, at ul. Papiernicza 2 *Catholic Centre, at ul. Wiślna 12 *''Rotunda'' Cultural Centre, at ul. Oleandry 1 *Jewish Cultural Centre, at ul. Meiselsa 17 *''Teranga'' Centre of African Culture and Art, at ul. Kalwaryjska 48 *''Kurdwanów Nowy'' Cultural Centre, at ul. Witosa 39 == Nightlife == There are over a hundred pubs and bars in the vicinity of the [[Main Market Square, Kraków|Kraków Market Square]] alone, most in the cellars of historic buildings, each with its own intimate character and atmosphere. Many of the establishments are devoted to live music as well. Jazz clubs include: ''Klinika 35'' Blues Club, Harris Piano Jazz Bar, Jazz Club ''U Muniaka'', ''Pod Jaszczurami'' Club, Kornet Jazz Club, ''U Louisa'', ''Rotunda Orlik'' Club and ''Piec'' Arts Club. Popular places to drink, eat, and enjoy, are situated also in the nearby [[Kazimierz]] quarter. Friday and Saturday nights are the high points of the entertainment week. Live entertainment fits all tastes. Jazz remains very popular and there is no lack of places for fans of rock, modern pop, ballads, including classical music. A number of restaurants in the centre of Kraków can seat more than 100. == Some artists from or living in Kraków == [[Wisława Szymborska]], [[Ewa Demarczyk]], [[Tadeusz Kantor]], [[Nigel Kennedy]], [[Sławomir Mrożek]], [[Krzysztof Penderecki]], [[Zbigniew Preisner]], [[Maciej Maleńczuk]], Zbigniew Wodecki, [[Adam Marczyński]], Marcin Świetlicki Among Jazz musicians with bands are: Reiner Trio, Beale Street Band, Boba Jazz Band, Aleksander Glondys Quartet/Quintet (formerly: Al’Mad), Jazz Band Ball Orchestra, Janusz Witko Quartet, Mr. Bober's Friends, Cracow Swing Quartet, [[Old Metropolitan Band]], Marek Bałata Jazz Singer, Andrzej Cudzich, New Bone, Sebastian Bernatowicz, Jan Pilch, Karolina Styła, Overtime, Piotr Domagała, Ryszard Styła, Jorgos Skolias Kraków Klezmer groups include: [[Kroke]] and [[The Cracow Klezmer Band]]. Selected Folk bands: Students Highlanders' Ensemble "Skalni", Nowa Huta Song and Dance Ensemble, Highland Folk Group Hamernik, Children's Highland Folk Group ''Mali Hamernicy'', Krakowiacy Song and Dance Company, and Folk Dance Group ''Krakowiak'' ==See also== * [[Events in Krakow]] ==References== <references /> [[Category:Polish culture]] [[Category:Kraków]]