Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Cracow

CRACOW, the old capital of Poland;in 1815-1846 capital of a republic of thesame name later forming part ofAustrian Galicia; is on the left bank of theVistula, where it becomes navigable, andconsists of Cracow proper, or the oldcity, and several suburbs. It is the seeof a bishop, is well built and regularlyfortified. The cathedral, a fine old Gothicedifice, contains monuments of manyPolish kings, of Kosciusko, etc. Theuniversity was founded in 1364, but graduallyfell into decay, and was reorganizedin 1817. It has a library of 300,000volumes. Three miles from the city isa hill 65 feet high thrown up in 1820-1823in honor of Kosciusko. In November,1914, the Russians reached the outer lineof forts, but were repulsed by Austrianforces. The region around the city wasthe scene for concentrating German-Austrianarmies for Mackensen's drive,which resulted in the reconquest of nearlyall of Galicia. As a result of the WorldWar Cracow became a part of the newrepublic of Poland (q. v.). Pop. about180,000.