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Kraków is intimate, charming and bohemian. Warsaw became cosmopolitan, monumental and modern.
exploded even further. Both cities
After War World II, Kraków became
took different development directions.
Poland’s second-largest city, the only
“
“
nation shifted to the new capital.
one that did not suffer destruction
Kraków focused on renovating
following the invasions of Germany
its historic districts and heritage
and Soviet Union. Kraków’s Old
landmarks, strengthening
Town was listed as a UNESCO
its academic centres, and
World Heritage Site. The city
developing strong IT and digital
became the cultural and academic
industries.
heart of Poland, at the time when Warsaw was rising to life from the
It was referred to as the tourist and
ashes of destruction.
cultural heart of Poland, home of the former Pope John Paul II and the
Rynek - the main market square in Kraków
39
www.thinkkrakow.com
religious soul of the nation. In the
soulless city similar to many
1990s, local authorities and elites
in the former Soviet Union. It
focused on the city’s existing strong
became the colourful, vibrant
brand and its position rather than
cosmopolitan capital.
visioning its future development.
When Poland embarked on its
At the same time, Warsaw became
transformation from communism
one of the fastest growing
to a market economy, the capital
economies of any city in Europe.
of Warsaw was still quite a grey,
Its skyline was filled with a range of
soulless city, similar to many in
modern skyscrapers, and the city was
the former Soviet Union. Since the
flooded with international companies
fall of the communism, both cities
and expats. Thus, the character of
have experienced an enormous
Poland’s most globalized metropolis
transformation; ever since Poland
has been transformed.
joined the EU, investment has
“ Warsaw became one of the fastest growing economies of any city in Europe.
“
The royal castle on the Wawel Hill in Kraków Poland’s Acropolis
Warsaw used to be a grey,