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The city of Cracow (Polish Kraków) lies in the southern part of Poland and it is one of the most beautiful cities in Eastern Europe. Cracow is part of the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage Sites and is more than 1000 years old. The city is acknowledged to be the spiritual heart of Poland due to its history. It was chosen as the European Capital of Culture for the year 2000. For centuries Cracow was the capital of Poland, the seat of kings is also one of the oldest university centres in Europe. Here is the seat of the second oldest university in Europe, the Jagiellonian University, founded in 1364. Cracow is a unique city where cultural and historical heritage is inseparably jointed with scientific activities. Over 100,000 people study at the several dozens of universities, among them are thousands of young people from Western Europe, the US, and other nations. However studying here it is not just studying, it is studying in Cracow, and it also means a unique atmosphere of cobblestone streets, galleries and pubs.

Cracow is among those rare cities of Europe where the medieval town is still the vital centre of modern metropolis. Cracow market place is the largest market place in Europe, rectangular in shape with a side length of 200 meters. Everyone who comes for the first time to the Cracow market place on a summer day, is not only amazed by the magic of all the sights and the flapping doves but also by the numerous colourful cafés, restaurants, and beer gardens at this largest square in modern Europe. There are so many foreigners passing by that one can hear almost all the languages of the world.

In the special atmosphere of the beautiful and mysterious streets of the Old Town you can find everything you need. Pubs full of music, cafes, and restaurants with Polish and international cuisine open till the last customer, all of this is an integral part of Cracow. In Cracow people do not have time for boredom.

We have the great honour of inviting you to this old and mysterious city for the XXIII International Conference of Physics Students ICPS 2008.