British travel and culture bible Timeout.com says that the noble spruce on the main square of Poland’s cultural capital is the most iconic on earth, more so than the trees in festive hotspots such as New York’s Rockefeller Center and London’s Trafalgar Square.
“Krakow teems with Christmassy spirit all throughout December, and it helps that the city's streets and architecture look just like the brackground [sic] of a Christmas card,” wrote the website.
“However, the central square is taken over every year by a charming festive market, the crowning jewel of which is the tree which sits next to the Cathedral.”
For the fourth year running, the seasonal decorations in Krakow have been inspired by the Jagellonian tapestries, 16th century masterpieces which adorn the interiors of the city’s iconic Wawel Castle. Camels, giraffes, deer and birds of paradise - the unlikely stars of the tapestries - pop up across the city in festive guises. The decor on the tree itself - a real spruce - is influenced by this history, and it shines brightly with 26,000 eco-friendly lights that change color.
Joining Krakow on the podium of Timeout.com’s list is the town of Gubbio in Umbria, Italy, and New York. They’re followed by pines in Vilnius, Rio de Janeiro, Washington D.C., Mexico City, Madrid, Strasbourg, London and Moscow.
Of course, there is much more to the Krakow Christmas experience than just trees and markets. The city’s unique tradition of szopki - the display of immaculately-crafted miniature nativity scenes - showcases local artists’ craftsmanship and their pride in its history.
“What makes szopki so special is that they are passed down through families, generation after generation,”
one artist told TVP World recently.
“Each year we refine our craft, add new details, and adapt to the times, but we never lose sight of the tradition. It’s a beautiful way of sharing values and memories.”
Krakow’s decorations, which were inaugurated at the beginning of December, are set to shine on until February 2 - so there’s plenty of time to go see the world’s top tree, and much more.