Guarding history. Krakow Town Archives of Former Records 1887–1952

„The largest municipal archives in Poland"

The Krakow Town Archives of Former Records, which existed in the years 1887–1952, was a municipal institution that – together with the Archives of Municipal and Land Records in Krakow – created the basis of the current National Archives in Krakow. During the near 65 years of its existence, the Krakow Town Archives of Former Records helped to serve Polish science and culture. It played a particularly significant role at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, when Krakow rose in importance and became a major centre of cultural and spiritual life for Poles. Its workers, through intensive research activity, have made a significant contribution to the development of Polish science and the fields of source editing and archival methods.The National Archives in Krakow is the successor of the Krakow Town Archives of Former Records as well as the Archives of Municipal and Land Records (later the State Archives in Krakow). It draws from the abundant resources of both these traditions. It willingly provides access to its collections to scientists, lovers of history and all those interested in the priceless information contained in archival materials, with access also provided online. With this objective in mind, steps towards the digitalisation of records and an integrated archival information system have intensified. Many documents from the former town archives are already available online.