Kraków

Kraków, or Cracow (pop. 214,400), city in south-central Poland, on the Vistula River. By the 8th century the city was a major trading center on routes between Europe and Asia. It was the capital of Poland from the late Middle Ages until Warsaw was made capital in 1596. Dating from that period are the Jagiellonian University (founded 1364), the 14th-century cathedral and market square, and the 16th-century royal castle. From the 18th century it was at times under Austrian, Prussian, and Russian rule, but it has once again been part of Poland since 1920. It is now a manufacturing center for iron and steel, chemicals, textiles, and other products.

See also: Poland.