Krakow is a large city in the southeast of Poland, not far from the border to Slovakia. It has been the ancient capital of Poland and the residence of its kings for centuries. Krakow is the only major city in Poland which wasn't damaged during World War II and as such retains to a large extent its cultural heritage. Krakow was founded in the 7th century and was the capital of Poland between 1038 and 1569. The city and the area surrounding it attract a large number of tourists every year who come to visit its old town and the sights in the region around Krakow. The historic centre of Krakow has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1978.