Vistula Boulevards
Explorer of Kraków's Parks · no. 4
Park type: water. In this park you can collect a stamp in the "Explorer of Kraków's Parks" campaign run by Kraków's Municipal Greenery Authority (ZZM). Where to find the stamp: in front of Wawel, on the path by the bench.
History
The Vistula Boulevards are historic hydraulic structures that protect Kraków from flooding. They consist mainly of two levels of retaining walls, with steps for pedestrians and cobbled ramps along the upper line. Earlier, in 1878-1880, an old branch of the Vistula was filled in, and the Dietl Planty and Daszyńskiego Avenue were laid out in its place. This made it possible to regulate the river into its present bed in 1905-1909 and to build the boulevards. Their effectiveness was proven by the floods of 1970, 1997 and 2010. Today they are also parkland with footpaths and cycle paths, and Czerwieński Boulevard is home to the monuments of the Wawel Dragon and Dżok the dog.
Did you know?
In the past the Rudawa flowed into the Vistula near Czerwieński Boulevard, where Retoryka Street is today. Its bed was filled in in 1903-1912, and the river was diverted through a cut to its present mouth by Rodła Boulevard.