The academic traditions of Krakow go back to the 14th century. In 1364 King Kazimierz Wielki (Casimir the Great) found the Academy of Krakow, from 19th century known as the Jagiellonian University. It is one of the oldest universities in Central Europe; second only to Prague's Charles University. Among its graduates we can notice Nicolaus Copernicus, the astronomer and author of the heliocentric theory, and Karol Wojtyla who became famous as the Pope John Paul II. To this day the University has remained the source of the city’s intellectual power and has played the leading role among several Krakow universities.


In St Anne’s Street we visit St Anne's Church – an impressive Baroque Church from the end of the 17th century, once the site of celebratory gatherings of professors, doctoral promotions, annual inauguration of the academic year and the resting-place of many eminent university professors. The Church is a basilica with three naves built on a Latin cross plan. The interior belongs to the best achievements of Polish Baroque.