Krakow Attractions

Venue: Museum of History    When: Daily; not Mon or Tue

Krakow's Museum of History is based in various buildings around the city, with the principal collection right in the centre of the Old Town at the Krzysztofory Palace on the market square.

Originally - from 1899 - part of Krakow's Archive Office, the Museum of History became an independent organisation at the end of the Second World War. It now spreads its wings to no fewer than 11 buildings - including the Old Synagogue where the city's Jewish history is displayed, the House under the Cross, with its theatrical archive, the Celestat, recounting the history of the Marksmen's Confraternity and the Town Hall tower, devoted to photographs.

The centrepiece is at the late-17th century Krzysztofory Palace, made out of earlier medieval buildings and featuring fine stucco works by Italian architect Baldassare Fontana, who was working in Krakow at the time. Inside, visitors can discover the rich history of the city alongside militaria - including armour and firearms - as well as clocks and watches, documents and paintings.

Most famously, over Christmas and New Year, the museum displays the highly elaborate szopka Nativity cribs which are a tradition in Krakow, and the subject of fervent competition at the beginning of December.