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Kraków - once the capital of Poland - came into being because of its important position among a number of trade routes. The earliest references to Krakow appear in the writings of Ibrahim ibn Jakub, a travelling tradesman from the 10th century. The capital was moved from Gniezno to Kraków during the Piast Dynasty in 1083. The capital remained here for another five centuries - until Warsaw was made capital in 1596. The Tartar invasions of 1241 had a devastating effect on the city. During reconstruction the streets and the main market area were mapped out in the checkered pattern that still exists today. King Casimir founded the University in 1364. It later became known as the Jagiellonian - after King Jagiello, who was a great supporter of the University. Krakow went through tremendous growth and development in the middle ages and during the renaissance in particular. During this time it was considered to be a major European capital. With the Swedish invasions of the 17th century came the beginning of what was to become a gradual decline for the city. Ironically, the Nazi occupation of the city is what spared it from being bombed during WWII. The Old Town was recently declared a world heritage site by UNESCO |