The Vistula Boulevards, Krakow
The Vistula Boulevards were built on both sides of the Vistula River in the years 1907-1913, according to the design of engineer Roman Ingarden. Their primary purpose was flood protection, as they were also a part of the Danube-Oder-Vistula-Dniester canal. Work on the preparation of the canal for navigation and transhipment was interrupted by the outbreak of World War I and the collapse of Austria-Hungary. After World War II, the Vistula Boulevards began to be a destination for leisurely strolls, and today, thanks to the Vistula Cycling Route, which is part of the EuroVelo road, it has become a favourite place for active recreation of cyclists, inline skaters and scooter enthusiasts. The most crowded place of the boulevards is the Czerwieński Boulevard between the Dębnicki and Grunwaldzki bridges. This section includes the statues of the dog Dżok and the Wawel Dragon. Here, you can also find the avenue of stars, on which Celine Dion, Marek Grechuta, Krzysztof Krawczyk and the Maanam band, among others, have imprinted their hands. An interesting section of the boulevards is the Inflancki Boulevard with the famous Skałka church. On the right bank, there is the interesting the Poleski Boulevard with the Museum of Japanese Art and Technology “Manggha”, from whose terrace there is an incredible view overlooking the Wawel Castle. It is also worth taking a walk along the Volyn Boulevard, where the former Forum Hotel stands, today a meeting place for music, art and relaxation on the sun loungers. It is from here that you can get to the viewing platform, from which with a bit of luck, apart from the panorama of Krakow, you can see the Tatra Mountains. Next to it, is the Krakow Eye Observation Wheel.