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	rakow, with its 800.000 inhabitants is Poland's third largest city. It is located in the very centre of Europe, built on both sides of the Vistula river. Why are we talking about Krakow? Nothing easier: because Krakow houses the 8th edition of Mattoni Grand Drink. There was a time when Krakow was the capital of the Kingdom of Poland, but it was about a millennium ago. By the way, the city lived its Golden Age in the 15th Century, and remained Poland's official capital till 1791. But, in the meanwhile, the political activities had moved with the Royal family to Warsaw, and Warsaw naturally became the capital. Throughout the 18th century Krakow suffered a series of sieges, foreign occupations and plunders, and only in the end of 19th Century it gained back its reputation of a thriving centre for commerce and other activities. By 1939 Poland was dismembered by Nazi Germany, and Krakow was one of the few cities which survived to the bombings of either Germans or Russians. Krakow, home of Culture Today Krakow shares with Warsaw the leadership of Poland, but perhaps Krakow wins in terms of culture. Krakow has been rewarded with the title of European City of Culture in 2000. This prestigious reward goes to cities offering wide and diverse cultural activities to citizens and tourists: no wonder that Krakow, as any of the other cities which have won this prize in the past, boasts major attractions in several different ambiences. The city is crowded with museums. The most famous are surely the National Museum and the Czartoryskich Museum. The latter, sited in Jana street, houses one of the finest masterpieces of all times, Leonardo's painting "Lady with an Ermine", bought by Prince Adam Jerzy Czartoryski in Italy and incorporated into The Czartoryskis' family collections in 1800. Side by side with art exhibitions, Krakow's streets are full of curios and unique marvels. Here is the largest Gothic sculpture of the world, a 3-story-high altarpiece located in the basilica of Virgin Mary. Veit Stoss, the great sculptor, spent 12 years to carve in wood over 200 statues and he assembled them to accomplish his 42 feet high and 36 feet wide masterpiece. Not only the surface of Krakow is full of marvels, but its subsoil as well. Nine centuries of mining in Wieliczka produced a total of some 200 kilometres of passages as well as 2,040 caverns of varied size. This means an incredible subterranean world of labyrinthine passages, giant caverns, underground lakes and chapels with sculptures in the crystalline salt and rich ornamentation carved in the salt rock. 365 parties a year Krakow is even more. There are so many festival and celebrations that it could be argued that there is a party going on 365 days a year. Alongside the common ones, the city celebrates "prima aprilis", on April 1, better known as All Fool's Day, a day devoted to jokes and fun; the Constitution Day, on May3; St Stanislaw's Procession on the first Sunday after May 8, dedicated to the Country's patron; Juvenalia, a colourful festival traditionally organized by the students of the city (bear in mind that Krakow has a very ancient University); Wreaths ('Wianki') Midsummer festival, Krakow variety of Poland's traditional all-night merrymaking by bonfires on St. John's Day, June 24; and many more. Anyway, even if you reach Krakow during one of the few days while the city is not partying, don't panic: there are always lots of ways to have fun and spend a great time here. If you are 18 or older you can test your luck in one of the three casinos of the city or, if you do not feel like winning, just stroll Krakow's old city: every street and every square here lives its own life manifest in its cafes, stores, galleries, assorted culture venues and public institutions. Take your time to wander around the city: restaurants are open till late and, moreover, nightlife never stops, no matter which day of the week is nor what time it is. Bands play live music at every corner, crowding the many local clubs which usually can seat no more than 100 customers. Among so many charming activities, Mattoni Grand Drink 2004 makes Krakow shine even more than usual. No better moment to visit this superb Polish city, but be careful: you could also be caught in a spiral and decide not to come back home anymore! Davide Morena   mixed drinks database | news | articles | forum | questions & answers | faq about us | advertising information | credits | contacts | links Copyright (c) 2001 KARLOVARSKÉ MINERÁLNÍ VODY a.s.