The capital of Poland during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, Cracow is one of the most beautiful cities of Europe and the most eagerly visited one in Poland. The City of Culture, it has a very strong influence on Polish culture. Cracow's cityscape is inseparably linked with the Wawel-the residence of Polish kings up to the end of the 16th century and a pearl of Polish history and culture-as well as the Market Square with its Cloth Hall and St. Mary's church, and the droshkies riding romantically amidst historical monuments.. Cracow's renewed Jagiellonian University is one of the oldest colleges in Europe. Cracow has the largest number of historical monuments of any Polish city. The whole of old Cracow was included on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1978. Cracow's historical monuments, its multitude of restaurants, and throbbing social life create a unique atmosphere in this gem of Polish cities.