About the Journal

ISSN: 0080-3499

Journal disciplines by:
SCImago (Scopus): Urban Studies (main), History, Archaeology, Cultural Studies
Web of Science: Urban Studies (main), History, Medieval & Renaissance Studies
Index Copernicus: History, Archaeology, History of Art

Krakow Yearbook is a peer-reviewed academic journal published since 1898 by The Society of Friends of Kraków History and Heritage, dedicated to all aspects of the history of the city of Krakow, from its early medieval beginnings to the present day. The long history of the journal, although interrupted by world wars and other historical events, makes it one of the oldest periodicals in the discipline of urban studies in this part of Europe.

The subject matter of the articles is broad, varied, often interdisciplinary, comprehensively covering issues related to the society, culture and role of old Kraków, as well as its urban planning and protection of the preserved heritage. These include the history of crafts, industry and technology, trade and guild organisations, the bourgeoisie and families of Krakow, the political and cultural activity of the city. The topics covered include the topography of the oldest Krakow, municipal heraldry and sigillography, the history of art (painting, sculpture, artistic crafts, theatre and music), as well as local customs and traditions. Some texts are also devoted to well-known figures associated with the city. The protection and conservation of monuments and the management of cultural heritage, in a European and global context, occupy a special place among the topics covered.

The guiding principle accompanying the editors of the journal is to take a critical and interdisciplinary look at the history of Krakow – one of the oldest Polish cities with an extremely rich history, which has influenced Central Europe to varying degrees over the centuries due to the role it played in the history of Poland and the region. For many centuries it was the seat of the kings of Poland, including the Jagiellonian dynasty which also ruled in other countries in this part of Europe (Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Hungary), making it a significant political centre of the time. Due to its membership of the Hanseatic League, it also became an important economic centre of the region. Krakow attracted numerous artists and writers, and in time also scientists, after the foundation of the Krakow University, the oldest university in Poland and the second in Central Europe, known today as the Jagiellonian University. All these functions meant that many nationalities and cultures met in the city, the most numerous of which was the Jewish population living in the neighbouring town of Kazimierz, currently part of Krakow. The city experienced its heyday during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and sadly lost its political importance in later centuries, but still remained and remains a cultural centre full of historic architecture.

The presented context makes research on Krakow not only of local importance, but also a starting point for multidisciplinary research and academic discussions on the history of Poland and more broadly the entire region of Central Europe, including those of a comparative nature. The entirety of the phenomena and processes occurring in the spaces of this city can be treated as a model for the search for a broader perspective with transnational overtones, referring to European and world material and non-material heritage. This kind of approach is discernible in many of the articles published in the journal. The history of Krakow is the field of research of both European historians (e.g. German, Austrian. French, Czech, Hungarian, Slovak, Ukrainian, Lithuanian, Swedish and British) and American historians.

The journal's target audience is researchers in various disciplines related to the field of urban studies and heritage conservation, archivists, museum professionals and teachers.

Aims and Scope

It is intended that historians, historians of art and culture, cultural studies scholars, archaeologists and researchers involved in the urban studies and the preservation of cultural heritage will mainly publish in the Kraków Yearbook. The journal is open to topics that are in various ways related to the history of Krakow or its role on the cultural, social and geographical map in the European and global context.

The journal accepts texts in the field of:

  • history,
  • history of art,
  • architecture and urban studies,
  • conservation and restoration of monuments and relics,
  • archaeology,
  • cultural heritage,
  • heritage management.

In addition to peer-reviewed, original articles, the journal also publishes polemics, review articles and reviews of current studies, as well as reports on important academic and cultural events related to the journal's topics.

Following a tradition of more than a century, the journal generally publishes articles in Polish, but is also open to texts in English and other congress languages. Since 1989, each article has been accompanied by an abstract in English.

Sections of the Journal

Is the section peer-reviewed?

Introduction

No

Articles

Yes

Miscellanea

No

Conservation Chronicle

No

Reports

No

Review Articles

No

Obituaries

No

Introduction
Includes texts with an introductory word for each issue. They are authored by the Editorial Team.

Articles
The most important and comprehensive section of the journal, in which original research articles are published.

Miscellanea
It contains annual reports on the activities of committees and commissions operating within The Society of Friends of Kraków History and Heritage. In addition, there are reports of events organised as part of the Society's statutory activities.

Conservation Chronicle
Includes articles on the documentation of conservation work carried out in Krakow.

Reports
Contains texts documenting the activities of The Society of Friends of Kraków History and Heritage and its associated institutions.

Review Articles
Includes review articles of important academic publications that have been published in the disciplines of the journal.

Obituaries
It contains reminiscences of deceased prominent representatives of the disciplines within which the journal publishes, as well as people connected with Krakow.

Abstracting and Indexing Services

Long-term Preservation & Archiving

The electronic backup and preservation of access to the journal content are provided by the publisher. The journal content is also transferred to the collections of the National Library in Warsaw (Digital Repository of the National Library) and the Malopolska Digital Library run by the Provincial Public Library in Krakow, as a long-term preservation service.

In the case of self-archiving please look at the Copyright & Licensing section.

Revenue Sources

The journal is financed from the own funds of The Society of Friends of Kraków History and Heritage. Some income is received from the sale of the print version of the journal. No fees are charged to authors. The business model of the journal does not affect the publication process in any way; the only criterion for accepting a text for publication is its merit.