Kraków/Old Town



The Old City of Kraków, referred to in Polish as Stare Miasto, forms the historical kernel of this vibrant Polish city and is the first target for most travellers to the city for accommodation, eating out, entertainment, and attractions.

Orientation
The area of the Old City is bounded by the ring of lightly-forested parkland, known as the Planty, that used to mark the Old City walls and moat. The Wawel, the long-fortified hill at the southern end of the Old City, overlooks the River Vistula, and forms an integral part of this district. The centre of the Old City (and of Kraków itself) is the Rynek Główny (Main Market Square) from which all the main streets radiate.

This page also covers Śródmieście, the "Inner city". It was developed behind torn down medieval city walls on the grounds of surrounding villages and towns and today together with Old City forms the I district of Kraków. Śródmieście is bordered by the ring road Trzech Wieszczów to the west and railway tracks to the east.

The are just north of Old City, see Krakow main page for connections & facilities.

InfoKrakow Tourist Information Offices

 * Wyspiański Pavilion, pl. Wszystkich Świętych 2
 * ul. św. Jana 2
 * ul. Szpitalna 25 (in Planty park outside the underground passage leading from Train Station)
 * ul. Powiśle 11 (in the pavilion at the foot of Wawel hill)
 * Sukiennice, Rynek Główny 1-3

See
The museums and galleries in Old Town are mostly branches of either the Museum of Krakow or of the National Museum (Muzeum Narodowe), see main Krakow page.

Wawel
Wawel (say "Vavel") is the fortified citadel at the south tip of Old Town, perched on a limestone crag above the river. The complex contains the castle and the cathedral, and for over 600 years was the seat of power in Poland. Approach either up the ramp from the foot of Kanonicza, or up the longer gentler ramp from the foot of Grodzka. Both routes are wheelchair-accessible, but you may not bring bikes, scooters or Segways. The citadel is arranged around a grassy outer courtyard where a huddle of earlier buildings have been cleared away, and a graceful Italianate inner courtyard. These are both free to access daily from 06:00 to dusk; buy your castle ticket first because numbers are restricted, with timed entry slots for the various components. These sell out fast in summer and at weekends. In summer there's a separate ticket booth at the foot of Kanonicza, which may save you a fruitless climb up the hill. Use any long gap in your castle entries to tour the cathedral (separate ticket office), and see the Dragon's Den last if at all. There's a trattoria on the hill (open daily 09:00-17:00), a couple of cafes, toilets (2 zł) and an ATM.


 * Wawel Cathedral is known in full as Królewska Bazylika Archikatedralna śś. Stanisława i Wacława na Wawelu, or the "Royal Archcathedral Basilica of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslaus on Wawel Hill". On 2 Nov 1946 a talented young priest called Karol Wojtyla conducted his first mass here, the day after his ordination; he went on to become the city's bishop, Pope John Paul II, and a modern Saint. The building is Gothic, built from 14th C. Several crypts and chapels house the remains of Poland's monarchs, nobility, heroes and poets. The Sigismund Tower, ascended by ricketty wooden steps, contains the huge Sigismund Bell. The main cathedral is not free, and open M-Sa 09:00-16:00, Su 12:30-16:00. It's 22 zł to enter the cathedral, royal crypts, Sigismund Tower and museum (which is closed Sunday).
 * Dragon's Den (Smocza Jama): the limestone hill is riddled with clefts and caverns, and one was said to be the lair of a fearsome dragon. ("Smok" finds echos in Tolkien's Smaug - he himself gave an obscure German derivation, but he had wide knowledge of European legends and languages.) The sons of King Krakus fed the dragon a calf stuffed with smouldering sulphur, and this proto-vindaloo killed it. Enter the cave from Thieves' Bastion on the eastern terrace. It's open April-Oct daily 10:00-17:00, 9 zł, but visit it last as it takes you out of Wawel. You descend 135 steps into the limestone cave, then through a passageway to emerge onto the riverbank promenade.
 * A seven-headed metal burps fire every few minutes: "must have been something I ate". It's on the public promenade next to the cave exit, you don't need to go through the cave or enter Wawel to see it.
 * A seven-headed metal burps fire every few minutes: "must have been something I ate". It's on the public promenade next to the cave exit, you don't need to go through the cave or enter Wawel to see it.

City walls
In the 13th century Kraków suffered two devastating attacks by the Tatars, so its centre (along with Wawel) was fortified with stout walls, towers and a moat, just in time to rebuff a third attack. In later years these defences were well-maintained, as the Ottoman Turks replaced the Tatars as a threat to Europe though they were stopped at Vienna. Then Austria-Hungary became the dominant power and eventually occupied much of Poland; the city lost its importance, the walls crumbled and the moat became a stinking rubbish tip. After the Napoleonic Wars, the Austrians ordered the walls to be taken down, but were persuaded to spare the attractive northern section. This included the Barbican and Florian Gate, while the rest became a horseshoe-shaped park, Planty.
 * Planty is nowadays a green, leafy corridor curving between the Old Town buildings and the buzz of traffic on the street beyond - this goes by several names but on the north side is Basztowa, "bastions". It's dotted with statues, benches and little cafes. To the south it approaches the riverbank promenade.
 * The Museum of the City of Kraków maintains the remaining walls. Admire the exteriors for free any time (and certainly by night, under floodlights) but you can only climb and go inside them April-Oct daily 10:30-18:00. Tickets (adult 9 zł) can be bought at the TIC in Market Square and at other branches of the City Museum.
 * The walls have three stout towers centred upon the, the town's medieval entrance leading onto the Royal Route via the market square to Wawel. It was built in the 13th century to be 33.5 m tall, and later a metre was added by a Baroque metal cap. The gate is always open to pass through (no vehicles), tickets for interior as above.
 * The Barbican stands a few yards out from the walls and Florian Gate, and was built in Gothic style in the 15th century to better defend them. It was connected to the gate by a fortified passage and bridge over the moat: those have gone so the Planty walkway now lies across the passage, and the Barbican stands in isolation. It contains a small museum, tickets as above.
 * Church of the Transfiguration (Kościół Pijarów pw. Przemienienia Pańskiego) is built onto the Walls just inside Florian Gate. It was built in 1718 in baroque style, copying Il Gesu church in Rome but with added decorative frolics.

Main Square
The main market square (Rynek Główny, say "rinek gwuvni") and its adjoining squares is the magnificent centre of the Old Town. It was first laid out in the 13th century but much embellished in the following centuries with churches, town houses and trading places. Several of the fronting buildings were palaces and mansions that nowadays are partitioned upstairs into offices and upscale apartments, while at street level they've become restaurants, cafes and beer cellars.
 * (Międzynarodowe Centrum Kultury) at Rynek Główny 25 has temporary art exhibitions, open Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. There's also a library and roof-top terrace with views of the city centre.
 * The block between Bracka and Grodzka was Pałac Zabarskich, now partitioned into various premises, including the excellent Cafe Wentzl.
 * At the northwest corner, Pałac Pod Krzysztofory fronts Szczepańska, while Pałac Pod Baranami (Palace of the Lambs) is on the southwest corner.
 * Along the north flank of St Mary's, what was once a cemetery has become the pleasant Mary's Square (Plac Mariacki), lined with yet more cafes. It leads through into the well-preserved medieval (Mały Rynek).
 * St Barbara Church in Little Market Square was founded in the 14th century by Mikolaj Wierzynek as a Gothic grave chapel, remodeled in early Baroque in 1583, and formerly housed a Jesuit college. By the main entrance is "Gethsemane", a complex of stone sculptures by Veit Stoss.
 * At the northwest corner, Pałac Pod Krzysztofory fronts Szczepańska, while Pałac Pod Baranami (Palace of the Lambs) is on the southwest corner.
 * Along the north flank of St Mary's, what was once a cemetery has become the pleasant Mary's Square (Plac Mariacki), lined with yet more cafes. It leads through into the well-preserved medieval (Mały Rynek).
 * St Barbara Church in Little Market Square was founded in the 14th century by Mikolaj Wierzynek as a Gothic grave chapel, remodeled in early Baroque in 1583, and formerly housed a Jesuit college. By the main entrance is "Gethsemane", a complex of stone sculptures by Veit Stoss.
 * St Barbara Church in Little Market Square was founded in the 14th century by Mikolaj Wierzynek as a Gothic grave chapel, remodeled in early Baroque in 1583, and formerly housed a Jesuit college. By the main entrance is "Gethsemane", a complex of stone sculptures by Veit Stoss.

South of Main Square
The spine of this part of town is Grodzka, leading down through All Saints Square. Two monasteries give their names to the cross street of Franciszkańska / Dominikańska where trams rumble through. The Old Town narrows as it approaches the foot of Wawel.
 * St. Francis Church (Franciscans) — Founded in the first half of the 13th century in Romanique style. In the 15th century, the church received its final Gothic form. In 1850, the grand fire of Kraków destroyed much of the church. The reconstruction and redecoration took several dozen years. The present secession interior was made by Stanislaw Wyspianski. The most authentic part of the church is the northern elevation of the transept, surviving almost intact in its 13th-century form. A place of special beauty are the Gothic cloisters surrounding the rectangular viridarium, dating mostly from the first half of the 15th century.
 * St. Francis Church (Franciscans) — Founded in the first half of the 13th century in Romanique style. In the 15th century, the church received its final Gothic form. In 1850, the grand fire of Kraków destroyed much of the church. The reconstruction and redecoration took several dozen years. The present secession interior was made by Stanislaw Wyspianski. The most authentic part of the church is the northern elevation of the transept, surviving almost intact in its 13th-century form. A place of special beauty are the Gothic cloisters surrounding the rectangular viridarium, dating mostly from the first half of the 15th century.
 * St. Francis Church (Franciscans) — Founded in the first half of the 13th century in Romanique style. In the 15th century, the church received its final Gothic form. In 1850, the grand fire of Kraków destroyed much of the church. The reconstruction and redecoration took several dozen years. The present secession interior was made by Stanislaw Wyspianski. The most authentic part of the church is the northern elevation of the transept, surviving almost intact in its 13th-century form. A place of special beauty are the Gothic cloisters surrounding the rectangular viridarium, dating mostly from the first half of the 15th century.
 * St. Francis Church (Franciscans) — Founded in the first half of the 13th century in Romanique style. In the 15th century, the church received its final Gothic form. In 1850, the grand fire of Kraków destroyed much of the church. The reconstruction and redecoration took several dozen years. The present secession interior was made by Stanislaw Wyspianski. The most authentic part of the church is the northern elevation of the transept, surviving almost intact in its 13th-century form. A place of special beauty are the Gothic cloisters surrounding the rectangular viridarium, dating mostly from the first half of the 15th century.
 * Palace of the Wielkopolskis ( Pałac Wielkopolskich) on pl. Wszystkich Świętych is nowadays Town Council offices.
 * St. Martin Church, Grodzka 58 — This church was raised in 1637 in Baroque style for the Discalced Carmelite nuns, but is now a Protestant church. The Gothic crucifix above the altar is one of the oldest in Poland.
 * St. Joseph Church — This church was built in 1694 at the place of the Tęczyński Palace in baroque style. It was damaged in the big fire of 1850 but the interior was saved.
 * St. Martin Church, Grodzka 58 — This church was raised in 1637 in Baroque style for the Discalced Carmelite nuns, but is now a Protestant church. The Gothic crucifix above the altar is one of the oldest in Poland.
 * St. Joseph Church — This church was built in 1694 at the place of the Tęczyński Palace in baroque style. It was damaged in the big fire of 1850 but the interior was saved.
 * St. Joseph Church — This church was built in 1694 at the place of the Tęczyński Palace in baroque style. It was damaged in the big fire of 1850 but the interior was saved.
 * St. Joseph Church — This church was built in 1694 at the place of the Tęczyński Palace in baroque style. It was damaged in the big fire of 1850 but the interior was saved.

North of Main Square

 * Reformatory Church of St. Casimir — Built in 1666, together with the monastery in baroque style. In the crypta are graves of the brothers with mummified bodies, due to the special microclimate.
 * St John's the Baptist and St John's the Evangelist Church — It was built by Piotr Wlast from Skrzynno in the 12th century in Romanesque style. In the 17th century, the church was altered in Baroque style. The high altar contains a Renaissance painting called "The Mother of God redeeming the Slaves".
 * Church Of Our Lady Of Snows on Mikołajska 21 — Constructed in 1632 founded by Anna Lubomirska as a vote to commemorate the victorious battle in 1621 in Chocim against the Osmans. It was destroyed during the Swedish invasion in 1655 and rebuilt in 1671. The main altar has the painting of the "Our Lady of Snows", the gift of Pope Urban VIII. Next to the church stands a cloister with some fragments of the defensive medieval architecture, like a brick tower from the 13th century.
 * St John's the Baptist and St John's the Evangelist Church — It was built by Piotr Wlast from Skrzynno in the 12th century in Romanesque style. In the 17th century, the church was altered in Baroque style. The high altar contains a Renaissance painting called "The Mother of God redeeming the Slaves".
 * Church Of Our Lady Of Snows on Mikołajska 21 — Constructed in 1632 founded by Anna Lubomirska as a vote to commemorate the victorious battle in 1621 in Chocim against the Osmans. It was destroyed during the Swedish invasion in 1655 and rebuilt in 1671. The main altar has the painting of the "Our Lady of Snows", the gift of Pope Urban VIII. Next to the church stands a cloister with some fragments of the defensive medieval architecture, like a brick tower from the 13th century.

University
All over Old Town you'll find campuses and departments of the Jagiellonian University, founded in 1364. You are free to enter all buildings at your leisure, along with the milling students.
 * Collegium Juridicum is Gothic and stands opposite the Peter and Paul Church. It has an attractive Renaissance yard with arcades and sculpture by Igor Mitoraj.
 * Collegium Medicum is a Renaissance building opposite St Anna Church, the university church since 1409. It has a fine Renaissance yard with arcades.
 * Collegium Novum is a beautiful Neogothic buildings It was built in the 19th century and has been the headquarters of the Jagiellonian University since then. The grand stairways inside the building are worth seeing.
 * Pope John Paul II Academy is a big neo-Gothic building just north of Wawel.
 * Pope John Paul II Academy is a big neo-Gothic building just north of Wawel.

Śródmieście
This is the "inner city" lying just outside the ring of Planty.
 * main building is just west of this area at the foot of Aleja 3 Maja - see west Kraków page. It's full of top names including Rembrandt and da Vinci.
 * main building is just west of this area at the foot of Aleja 3 Maja - see west Kraków page. It's full of top names including Rembrandt and da Vinci.

Theaters

 * Contemporary Theatre at ul. Starowiślna 21 is Old Theatre's second stage.
 * Camelot Theatre is a small repetory theatre at Tomasza 17, a block north of Main Market Square.
 * Contemporary Theatre at ul. Starowiślna 21 is Old Theatre's second stage.
 * Camelot Theatre is a small repetory theatre at Tomasza 17, a block north of Main Market Square.
 * Camelot Theatre is a small repetory theatre at Tomasza 17, a block north of Main Market Square.
 * Camelot Theatre is a small repetory theatre at Tomasza 17, a block north of Main Market Square.
 * Camelot Theatre is a small repetory theatre at Tomasza 17, a block north of Main Market Square.
 * Camelot Theatre is a small repetory theatre at Tomasza 17, a block north of Main Market Square.
 * Camelot Theatre is a small repetory theatre at Tomasza 17, a block north of Main Market Square.

Buy

 * The Rynek and the surrounding streets have fashionable clothing stores.
 * Galeria Krakowska is the big mall next to the main railway and bus stations. It's got clothes, souvenirs, bookstores, eating places etc.
 * Młoda Księgarnia is an art bookshop on plac Szczepański on the ground floor of the Szołayskich museum. It also has handmade toys and Polish designs. It's open Tu-F 09:00-17:00, Sa 10:00-18:00, Su 10:00-16:00.

Budget
There are several budget restaurants around.

Splurge

 * "Splurge" in this town means half what you'd pay for the equivalent meal in the west, so these places are great value.


 * Wentzl Restaurant is within Wentzl Hotel on Rynek Główny 19, open daily 13:00-23:00. Excellent upscale Polish & European cuisine.
 * Pod Aniołami at Grodzka 35 is great Polish cuisine. It's open daily 12:00-23:00.
 * Wentzl Restaurant is within Wentzl Hotel on Rynek Główny 19, open daily 13:00-23:00. Excellent upscale Polish & European cuisine.
 * Pod Aniołami at Grodzka 35 is great Polish cuisine. It's open daily 12:00-23:00.
 * Pod Aniołami at Grodzka 35 is great Polish cuisine. It's open daily 12:00-23:00.

Cafes
The Battle of Vienna in 1683 was the last serious assault of the Ottomans upon the west, and afterwards they were always in decline. The victorious Polish hussars helped themselves to piles of Turkish coffee and brought it home, to start a cafe tradition here.

Clubs
Dance venues are scattered around Old Town and are often down in the medieval cellars, especially along Szewska, św. Tomasza and Szpitalna.


 * Pod Jaszczurami, Rynek Główny 8. Legendary student club with live music, open Su-Th 09:00-02:00, F Sa 09:00-04:00.
 * Pod Jaszczurami, Rynek Główny 8. Legendary student club with live music, open Su-Th 09:00-02:00, F Sa 09:00-04:00.
 * Pod Jaszczurami, Rynek Główny 8. Legendary student club with live music, open Su-Th 09:00-02:00, F Sa 09:00-04:00.
 * Pod Jaszczurami, Rynek Główny 8. Legendary student club with live music, open Su-Th 09:00-02:00, F Sa 09:00-04:00.

Mid-range
Kraków offers a lot of two and three-star hotels, priced at €25-40 per night. The most expensive of these hotels are actually in the Old Town proper.



Connect
Half of bars and cafes have WiFi, just ask for the password while ordering.

Main library on ul. Rajska has free WiFi on the second floor.

There are few Internet cafes: