Skawina, Poland

Capital City

With a population of just 24,177, Skawina is a small industrial town in southern Poland that has struggled to shake off its grim Communist-era legacy. The town's main draw is its proximity to Kraków, but newcomers should brace for a persistent bureaucratic headache - the town was ravaged during the World Wars, and rebuilding efforts have been painfully slow. While the old Renaissance palace offers a glimpse of the town's former prosperity, the modern Skawina is dominated by the hulking Aluminum Works and Power Station, remnants of the Communist government's heavy-handed industrialization efforts. This is a town for those seeking an authentic, if somewhat bleak, Polish experience - the bright lights and comforts of Kraków are just a short drive away.