‘Little Croatia’ Set to be Built in Kraków, Poland

by croatiaweek
April 3, 2017
in Latest

Little Croatia set to be built in Krakow

Kraków, the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland, is set to be home to “little Croatia”.

A group of 10 students with tutors (Prof. Dr. Iva Rechner Dik from the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Zagreb) and Professor Ante Kuzmanić and his assistant Mirjana Radoš from the University of Split were in Kraków from 27-28 March 2017.

They, together with a 10-person group of Kraków students from Kraków University of Technology, participated in special workshops organized by the city of Kraków and the honorary consul of the Republic of Croatia in Kraków.

The workshop was designed to select the best land development project, according to which park in Kraków will be built.

This area is located in the city park called “Bagry Wielkie”. The eastern part of this park lies on a lagoon with a beach, a swimming area, sailing and a variety of recreational activities.

The winning project ‘Little Croatia’ for Kraków

It is located in the geographical center of Kraków. It is only 5 kilometers from the historic center of Krakow. And is a very popular summer holiday destination for the Krakovians.

The eastern part of this park will be called “Park Little Croatia”. The initiator of the building of the „Park Little Croatia” is Paweł Włodarczyk – Honorary Consul of the Republic of Croatia in Krakow.

Student teams working in four groups (two students from Croatia and two from Kraków) have prepared 5 designs and the competition jury, appointed by city park specialists, has chosen the most interesting, winning project.

The winning project ‘Little Croatia’ for Kraków

The winning project included the proposal of the honorary consul to build an educational path – a walkway in the form of a course close in shape to the Croatian border.

In places where the largest Croatian cities (Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Vukovar, Pula and others) are located, there will be places to relax, including benches, lighting and signs telling the history of every Croatian city and its relations with Krakow.

Krakow

For walkers, mothers with young children and runners an avenue will built along the beach. This avenue will be called the Croatian Promenade.

A barge-shaped building will be built in which there will be gallery of Croatian art and a summer restaurant.

The establishment of the “Little Croatia” park in a very popular and liked place in Kraków will certainly contribute to a closer to know between Croatian and Polish nations.

The winning project ‘Little Croatia’ for Kraków

It will teach the history of the Croatia, Croatian-Polish relations and also promote Croatia in Kraków and throughout southern Poland.

Please find attached a photo of the winning project “Park Little Croatia” in Krakow and view from the future “Park Little Croatia” on the lagoon with the overlooking Wawel castle.