The coworking space iTech-Cloud is tucked away hidden at the end of Joselewicka Street. On the way there, I take the opportunity to look at the Oskar Schindler enamel factory. I take a few photos, the sight from the outside is enough for me. I am particularly impressed by the large locked entrance gate through which the Jewish workers poured into the factory. In a row of windows I see pictures of workers who Schindler saved from the concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.
I cross the river Weichsel (Vistula) and cross the former Jewish quarter. Old, dilapidated houses and synagogues bring the past to life. I actually feel like in the movie Schindler's list. Wind whistles around my ears, it's freezing cold. I hardly see tourists, in winter they rarely come to Krakow. Strange really, because for fans of the movie there is no more perfect season.
I ring at the door of the coworking space and am let in by a friendly young man. iTech Cloud is located in an ancient brick building, which does not suggest from the outside how comfortable it is inside. The raw brick walls were partly covered with coarse wood, on extremely wide window sills are coffee-brown seat cushions. These seats are probably meant for peak hours when all seven tables are occupied. At the moment, nobody is sitting there. Except for me, only one other coworker is present. Obviously, the digital nomads also avoid the wintry Krakow.
A day coworking at iTech-Cloud costs 25 Polish zlotys, which is about $ 7. For this you get a table seat, power for your own laptop, high-speed WiFi access and free unlimited coffee. There is a small conference room, a video projector and a very small toilet which is shared by men and women.
Coworking spaces like to advertise with new, interesting contacts that can be made there. This experience I have not done in Krakow. Maybe this works better in the summer when more tourists and digital nomads are present. Meetings or joint project development are not planned. I see nowhere a calendar, where such a thing would be registered.
Ultimately, I only got a very cozy office space right by the window and delicious coffee. Nevertheless, I recommend iTech-Cloud to any digital nomad who is visiting Krakow and wants to finish any project. The price for a day is extremely cheap for Europe, everything looks clean and is technically up to date. Additionally you get extremely cool, free old town feeling.
I love Krakow! I visited there in 2010 with my then-boyfriend (now husband) Marek, when we flew into Frankfurt and took the train to Krakow to meet up with his mother and sister, before traveling on to his native Warszawa.
That's a story for another day, but suffice it to say that we had a great time for the few days we spent in Krakow, and would love to visit there again.
If you haven't visited Wieliczka, the ancient salt works just outside the city, make it a point to do so. I promise you'll kick yourself if you miss it.
This was Poland's Royal salt mine, and not only was salt mined here for several hundred years, but master artisans carved amazing frescoes, sculptures and even entire cathedrals into the salt chambers. Several of the chambers have "tile" floors carved into the salt, and the artwork is amazing and humbling,
One highlight of our tour was an underground concert, and the acoustics were flat out amazing. And there is even an underground lake, and a hotel in which you can stay if you so choose, which many people do for their health.
Like Himalayan and Celtic sea salts, Wieliczka salt gives off negative ions, which makes you feel amazing after being down there for a while, and is especially beneficial for anyone with respiratory issues.
The full tour took us about three hours.
And the salt itself is the single best tasting salt I've ever used; there's a reason why the royals wanted to keep it for themselves. We brought as much back with us as possible, though we had a couple of large pieces of rock salt confiscated at the airport in Frankfurt, AFTER we were told it was fine to place them in our carry on luggage. Sigh.
I'm close to running out at this point. Time for another visit!
I'll definitely check out iTech Cloud when I do so. ;-)
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The salt mine sounds interesting @crescendoofpeace. Will try that next time.
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You won't be sorry, I promise!
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