Krakow is one of the oldest and largest cities in Poland, with a population of approximately 780,000 people. Krakow has been the capital of the Lesser Poland Voivodship since 1999, previously it had been the capital of Krakow Voivodship. Krakow has traditionally been one of the leading scientific, cultural, and artistic centers of the country. It was once the national capital and is considered to still be the heart of Poland because of its history over a thousand years. Krakow is also a center of local and international tourism, with more than 2,000,000 tourists per year. There are many examples of Renaissance, Baroque, and Gothic architecture, as well as churches and mansions with stained glass, paintings and sculptures. Most noticeable buildings include the Royal Castle, the Medieval old town, and Kazimierz, the historic center of Krakow's Jewish religious and social life. There are 18 university level schools with 10,000 faculty and 170,000 students in Krakow. There are 28 museums and art galleries in Krakow. Krakow holds several annual artistic and cultural events, including Short Film Festivals and the Jewish Culture Festival. There are several active theaters and opera houses. There are also salt mines, mountains, and other historic cities close by, including a national park and the former concentration camp at Auschwitz.