Krakow hosts thousands of students, as there is one of the oldest universities in the world! It was founded in 1364 by Casimir III the Great, and became the first university in Poland and the second university in Central Europe. Every year, at the cusp between May and June the city goes wild. Juwenalia Krakowskie is an annual student holiday usually celebrated before the summer exams.
It was celebrated for the first time in the 15th century. Nowadays, it is a colorful and extraordinary festival. Students are well known for their unbreakable spirit and irrepressible fantasy. They take over the streets of Old Town and have a good time. There is no better way to go back to the good old days than to take part in Juvenalia’s extravagances.
Festivities usually last for three days. On Friday, Krakow's students hold colorful parades marching from the campus. Some of them get dressed up in funny or provocative costumes. On the same day, the mayor of the city symbolically gives students the keys to the city gates transferring the power to a fraternity. The culmination of the celebration occurs on Sunday when an open-air ball is held on the Kraków’s Main Market Square. Miss Juvenalia beauty pageant is organized during the ball.
