Kraków

City in Poland, on both banks of the River Vistula, 300 km/190 mi south of Warsaw; population (2003 est) 733,100; urban agglomeration 781,300. It is an industrial centre producing railway wagons, agricultural machinery, paper, clothing, chemicals, and tobacco. One of Eastern Europe's largest iron and steel plants is in the nearby industrialized suburb of Nowa Huta, built after 1949. Kraków was capital of Poland from 1320 to 1611.

Thought to have been founded c. 700 and inhabited by the Vistulan tribe until the 10th century, Kraków was the seat of a Roman Catholic bishopric from 1000, and a royal castle (rebuilt in the 16th century) was constructed on nearby Wawel Hill. The 12th century Market Square is the second-largest in Europe, and is at the centre of a medieval street plan. The city used to be surrounded by 3 km/1.9 mi of walls strengthened by 47 towers, although these were largely demolished in the 19th century. Krakow was home of one of Europe's most important Jewish communities, dating back to the 14th century. During World War II, 30% of the population was exterminated by the Nazis.

The Jagiellonian University (1364), at which the astronomer Copernicus was a student, is one of the oldest in central Europe. There is a Gothic cathedral, rebuilt in the 14th century, which contains the tombs of kings and other great Poles. The John Paul II International Airport is located 15 km/10 mi from the city centre.