Krakow - Poland's Second City Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Vistula

Krakow is Poland's second largest city and was the capital of Poland from 1038 to 1596. It is also recognised as one of the most important economic centres of Poland, as many sectors of private trade began to grow in the city following the fall of communism. The Vistula River runs from West to East, cutting Krakow almost exactly in half and dividing its 18 districts.

Answer: Draper's Hall

The Sukiennice Cloth Hall (also known as Drapers' Hall) provided the people of Krakow with products from the East; such as silk and sought after spices. The market also acted as a place to sell the clothes and lead which was produced in Krakow itself.

Today the market stalls, which are positioned around the Cloth Hall, sell a variety of clothes, souvenirs, flowers and sweets. Although the hall no longer serves as a major centre of Polish industry, its well-kept appearance and historical relevance attracts many to the city. The site of the Cloth Hall at night is even more impressive than in the day as it is well lit and fits the calm mood of the city centre.

Answer: Adam Mickiewicz

Mickiewicz is highly regarded as one of the country's best writers and is classed as one of "Poland's Three Bards."

The statue of Mickiewicz is a popular meeting place for tourists and groups of friends. There are a huge range of shows and performances (e.g. break-dancing and fire juggling) which take place by the statue in order to raise money for charity and entertain visitors. The shows are so seemingly spontaneous that I found myself watching what I believed to be a staged fight, and did not realize it was serious until the police carriages came rushing in.

Answer: Copernicus

A head sculpture of Copernicus can be found on the grounds.

Jagiellonian University was founded in 1364 by Casimir II the Great, making it one of Europe's oldest universities.

Answer: Karol Josef Wojtyla

This man became Pope John Paul II. He was born in the nearby town of Wadowice, but moved to Krakow to study in 1938. During his time as Pope, John Paul II kept a house in Krakow and this has become a popular site to visit, especially after his death in 2005.

The university was closed by Nazi Germans in 1939 and, following the death of his father, Karol began to realise that he was destined to become a priest.

Answer: Wawel Castle

The defensive walls which surround Wavel Castle were built by the Austrians in the late 18th century to prevent further damage to this stronghold.

The original importance of this area (known as Wavel Hill) began as many tradesmen gathered, and trade began to flourish. The increasing prosperity of the area attracted nobles and Kings, who were to eventually make the castle their home. It is still possible to visit this grand castle as it has been made into a museum, allowing visitors to see the vast courtyard and striking architecture.

A folk tale tells us of a dragon which lived in the western slope of Wavel Hill. The story goes that the people of Krakow had to offer virgins to the beast and in return the dragon would leave the city in relative peace. Eventually, the only virgin left was the King's daughter, whom he was unwilling to sacrifice. He declared that the first man to slay the dragon would have his daughter's hand in marriage. A shoemaker (although there is significant debate over the occupation) was the hero of this tale. He fed the dragon poison, causing it to have never-ending thirst. The dragon drank and drank until it exploded. Following this, the man married the princess and they lived together in Wavel Castle. A right-wing Polish politician recently claimed that the story of the Krakow dragon was proof that man and dinosaurs once walked the Earth together.

Answer: It cuts off mid-stream

The story of this bugle call (known as the heynal) is linked to the numerous attacks made on the city. The legend goes that in the 13th century (estimated 1241), the bugler at the top of the tower spotted a large army of Tartar warriors and so sounded the horn to warn the people of Krakow.

His early warning is said to have saved the city. However, he was shot in the throat by a Tartar archer and was killed in the middle of his bugle call, thus explaining the significance of the broken tune. Because the tune is played on the hour every hour it is often said that when in Krakow you need not wear a watch.

Answer: It is one of Poland's oldest churches

Construction of this church is said to have began in the 10th century. It stands in Europe's largest medieval town square and outdates the square itself! It was one of the main meeting places of the city during the "golden age" of Krakow (16th century).

The church is not large at all and is even smaller inside than it appears from the outside. Nevertheless, it continues to be a place of prayer for Krakow inhabitants.

Answer: Kazimierz

King Kazimierz III (aka King Casimir III) is said to have built Kazimierz as a place for his lover, Esterka, to live. However, after Casimir's numerous sexual affairs with other women, Esterka eventually committed suicide.

Another king, King Jan Olbracht, decided to move all of Krakow's Jews into this city (as Kazmierz was originally a separate city) in the late 15th century. Here they lived alongside Christians peacefully for many years. Due to Nazi hostilities during World War II many of the 45,000 Jews in Kazimierz were killed and the rest fled to Israel. The city still contains several synagogues and other signs of the past Jewish presence. After much neglect following World War II, Kazimierz began its rebirth at the beginning of the 21st century. The previously poor district is now one of the liveliest areas in Krakow and accounts for much of the nightlife there.

Answer: Planty Park

Planty Park was brought in at the beginning of the 19th century to replace the city walls. Many monuments of famous Poles were later erected in Planty Park. These Poles included King Wladyslaw Jagiello and his wife Jadwiga, Copernicus, the painter Artur Grottger, and a few characters from the works of Polish writers, like Adam Mickiewicz or Juliusz Slowacki.

The charm of Planty Park still remains, even after the damage caused during World War II. There seems to be works of art at every turn, subtly positioned around the thirty gardens (approx) which make it up.

This seems an appropriate place to end the quiz, as many often choose to go to Planty Park and relax after a long day of site seeing.