The dynamic development of the city of Krakow
In the mid-nineteenth century. a group of active and effective conservative politicians is developing in Krakow. W 1866 r. Galicia, to which Krakow belonged as part of the Habsburg monarchy, gained autonomy along with the right to maintain almost all self-government institutions. Galicia was therefore able to enjoy the freedoms and freedom that were the greatest among the three partitions. All the most important offices were held by Poles. They could even reach the highest administrative positions in the Habsburg state (e.g.. premiership, chairmanship of the parliament in Vienna). And again, as in the case of the Jagiellonian University, it is impossible to list all the names of people, meritorious for the national culture, a working or publishing in Krakow. Staying within the cosmopolitan and relatively liberal monarchy of Franz Josef was associated with many benefits for Krakow. First of all, there were no barriers to travel and exchange of views with Western Europe, So the city avoided a kind of parochialism, taking over the news and cultural trends emerging in the West. Art Nouveau and Modernism appeared here almost simultaneously as in Paris and Vienna. Krakow's theaters have reached a really high level, artistic and literary life flourished. From those times, we are left with nostalgia for the Imperial-Royal monarchy of the Most Bright Lord, who got up at five in the morning every day, to read and write back to all – with no exception – letters from his subjects. And, of course, a bohemian legend, Green Balloon, Viennese coffee, and for a light breakfast an egg in a glass. The face of Krakow has also changed. The old walls were pulled down and the city began to expand vigorously. The Viennese government did not even mind selling the completely ruined Wawel to Polish society. After all, in 1918 r. Austrians – without firing a single shot – they gave power to the organizing Polish state.
The interwar period was characterized by a comprehensive and systematic development in all areas. But it was only necessary 21 lat, for a foreign flag to flutter over the Wawel Castle again - a huge flag of the thousand-year-old Reich was hung on the highest Senator's Tower. Krakow became the capital of the General Government, and Wawel is the seat of Hans Frank, who feels almost like a king here. The Germans annexed the best Krakow district, freshly built, in the vicinity of today's Słowackiego Avenue. In the representative building created by 1918 r. The AGH University of Science and Technology housed the government of the General Government, in the adjoining impressive building of the National Museum – government casino. Pre-war dormitories – Żaczek and Nawojka – turned into SS and Wehrmacht barracks, and in the current PWST dormitory at ul. Pomorska, the Gestapo headquarters was established.
The years of World War II brought losses to the city, not always convertible into material values. Besides looting valuable relics, The Germans organized actions aimed at spiritual destruction, intellectual and cultural wealth of the nation, (m.in. Special promotion Krakow). The times of the occupation are also associated with the tragedy of the Kazimierz Jews. However, one has to admit, that compared with other cities, Krakow did not suffer such severe losses.
