This article contains the analysis of the role played by Kraków as the cultural centre in regional, national, continental as well as the global dimension. The Author stresses the mutual influences between the city's cultural heritage and traditions and close and larger social environment. A special role in the processes of shaping the regional and national identity is played by religious and scientific leaders and artists well known in the region, country and all over the world. The article is an attempt to show their contribution to the process of cultural development in three dimensions - on the local, national and global scale.