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Krakow was the ancient capital of Poland and the residence of its Kings for Centuries. It is situated on the river Vistula, in the region of the Lesser Poland. The city dates back to the 7^th Century AD. The city was the leading centre for the cultural, artistic and scientific life in the country for more than a thousand years. It remains the spiritual centre of Poland. Seven million foreign and local tourists are attracted every year by the fame of the town. One of the famous landmarks is the Main Market Square with St. Mary’s Basilica. Other monuments that present interest for the visitors of Krakow are: the Sukiennice Cloth Hall, the Wawel Castle, the Zygmunt Bell at the Wawel Cathedral, the National Art Museum, and the St. Florian’s Gate from medieval times with the Barbican along the Royal Coronation Route. In 1978 UNESCO added some parts of Krakow in the list of the World Heritage Sites, i.e. the historic centre or the Old Town, Kazimierz and the Wawel Castle. Krakow is an important center of education with its eleven universities and higher level institutions which offer courses of education. Many people think that Krakow is the cultural Capital of Poland. The European Union called Krakow the European Capital of Culture for 2000. There are 28 art galleries and museums in the town which are worth visiting. Some of them are the Czartoryski Museum where visitors can see works by Rembrandt and Leonardo, and the branch of the National Museum of Poland.