Sukiennice (Cloth Hall, Drapers’ Hall) in Cracow, Poland
February 22nd, 2008 / / Links: Google Earth, Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps, Virtual Earth / Nearest placesShare This
Sukiennice (Cloth Hall, Drapers' Hall) in Kraków, Poland, one of the city's most recognizable icons, was once a major centre of international trade. Traveling merchants met there to discuss business and to barter. During its golden age in the 15th century, it was the source of a variety of exotic imports from the East – spices, silk, leather and wax – while Kraków itself exported textiles, lead, and salt from the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
Kraków, Poland's royal capital, was among the most magnificent cities in Europe. However, its prosperity would not last indefinitely. The city's decline was hastened by wars and political ineptitude. By the time that restoration was proposed for Sukiennice in 1870, much of the historic city center was decrepit. Nevertheless, a change in political fortunes for the Galicians ushered in a renaissance of sorts, and the successful renovation of the Cloth Hall was one of the proudest achievements of this period.




















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