WCQR2025 | Kraków
The in-person chapter of the 9th World Conference on Qualitative Research will take place from February 4 to 6, 2025, in Kraków, Poland.
One of Poland’s most historically rich and culturally vibrant cities, Kraków is a mesmerizing blend of medieval charm and modern energy.
At its heart is the magnificent Main Market Square (Rynek Główny), the largest medieval town square in Europe, surrounded by architectural marvels like the Gothic St. Mary’s Basilica and the Renaissance-style Cloth Hall.
Wawel Castle, perched above the Vistula River, is another must-see landmark, embodying centuries of Polish history as both a royal residence and a symbol of national pride. The city’s UNESCO-listed Old Town is alive with cobblestone streets, hidden courtyards, and cozy cafes, offering a deep dive into the past while remaining a dynamic hub for contemporary life.
Beyond its historical allure, Kraków is also a city of art, music, and intellectual heritage. As the former seat of Poland’s royal court and an important academic center—home to Jagiellonian University, one of the oldest universities in Europe—it has long been a cradle for innovation and culture. The Jewish Quarter, Kazimierz, is particularly notable, showcasing the city’s Jewish heritage through synagogues, museums, and vibrant street art.
Whether you’re exploring its museums, attending one of its many festivals, or simply strolling along the Vistula boulevards, Kraków offers an enchanting mix of history, culture, and modern creativity.
Sources: krakow.pl | krakow.travel
What to see
Wawel Royal Castle
The spectacular renaissance palace that we admire today atop Wawel Hill is the result of the refurbishment of the Gothic Royal Castle in the first half of the 16th century according to the wishes of Sigismund I the Old (Zygmunt Stary). It was the abode of Polish kings and their closest family, while the stately halls provided a backdrop for courtly and political life.
The impressive space of the arcaded courtyard is where you enter the individual exhibitions: the State Rooms, Royal Private Apartments, Crown Treasury and Armoury, and Oriental Art. Those interested in the history of the castle and the hill in the early medieval times are welcome to visit the Lost Wawel exhibition.
Source: Krakow Travel
Main Market Square
This is the place of the most “mosts”: the most important public space in Kraków, the most expansive Market Square of medieval Europe, it gathers everything most characteristic of the city and has its most distinctive hallmarks, and last but not least: the most beautiful, the most important, the most charming, the most…
The huge main square was staked out for the city when Kraków received its city charter based on Magdeburg Law in 1257. It was set up at the intersection of ancient trading routes, on the plan of a square, with each side slightly exceeding 200 m (650 ft). The name Rynek (Market Square), deriving from the German word Ring, was first used around 1300, and the current one – Rynek Główny (Main Market Square)– has only been in use since the end of the 19th century.
Source: Krakow Travel
Kazimierz and the “Jewish city”
Once independent, the city situated south of Wawel was the hub of Jewish life in Kraków for centuries, and today it is one of the greatest tourist attractions of the city.
The city of Kazimierz was founded by King Casimir the Great (Kazimierz Wielki) in the 14th century to protect the southern approaches to the royal city and capital of Poland. Its main artery was ulica Krakowska, which continued into a trade route connecting Kraków with Hungary. Soon monumental churches rose up across the city, one of them being the main parish Church of Corpus Christi situated by the new city’s Market Square (today’s Wolnica Square).
Source: Krakow Travel
Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum
Auschwitz, the largest Nazi German death camp, became a symbol of terror, genocide, and the Shoah to the entire world. Operating today on its premises is a museum that at the same time is a memorial of remembrance.
Oświęcim: one of the oldest Polish fortified towns, whose history spans over 800 years, entered the popular imagination primarily due to a tragic chapter in its 20th-century history. It is here that the Nazis set up the Auschwitz I concentration camp, which together with the Auschwitz II camp in Birkenau (Brzezinka) became the largest Nazi death camp.
Source: Krakow Travel
