Stare Miasto
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About
Stare Miasto is Kraków’s oldest historic district, enclosed by Planty Park. Its medieval core forms part of the Historic Centre of Kraków on UNESCO’s original World Heritage List.
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Why go
- Hear the hourly heynal from the highest tower of St. Mary’s Church.
- Take in Main Market Square, 200 by 200 metres and lined with townhouses and noble residences.
- Browse shops and market stalls in the Renaissance Sukiennice at the square’s centre.
Don't miss
- Northern defences and PlantyStart at the Barbican and Florian Gate, then follow Planty to the Copernicus monument near Collegium Novum.Northern edge of the old town; Planty near Collegium Novum
- Adam Mickiewicz MonumentLook at the four lower groups representing Poland, science, poetry, and patriotism and valour.Between St. Mary’s Church and the eastern side of Sukiennice
- Eros BendatoPair the sculpture with the neighbouring Town Hall Tower.Main Market Square
- Jagiełło and Jadwiga monumentLook for the monument commemorating 500 years of the union between Poland and Lithuania.Planty Park
- ObwarzankiFind twisted ring-shaped breads with toppings such as poppy seeds, sesame, or salt.Across Main Market Square
Tips for your visit
- Around Main Market Square, find the National Gallery of Art upstairs in Sukiennice and the Historical Museum at Rynek Główny 35.
- Find the Czartoryski Museum and Arsenal at 19 Św. Jana Street.
- Other museums in the district include Jan Matejko House, the Pharmacy Museum and the Jagiellonian University’s Collegium Maius Museum.
- On Main Market Square, look for plaques commemorating the 1525 Prussian Homage and support for the square’s 1964 renovation.
- A monument to Nicolaus Copernicus stands along Planty near Collegium Novum.
Interesting facts4
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46 towers
The medieval defensive wall stretched three kilometres, with 46 towers and seven main gates.
Kraków Old Town - Wikipedia -
The Historical Museum’s departments include the Barbican and Town Hall Tower.
Kraków Old Town - Wikipedia (part 2) -
The district combines Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque buildings.
Kraków Old Town - Wikipedia (part 2) -
Jan Matejko and Stanisław Wyspiański worked in the old town.
Kraków Old Town - Wikipedia
History
After the city’s destruction in 1241, its present street plan was laid out in 1257.
- 9th centuryAn early settlement called Okół stood at the foot of Wawel.
- c. 1000Kraków became a royal residence around the time its bishopric was established.
- 1038–1596Kraków was Poland’s political centre until the royal court moved to Warsaw.
- 1241The city was destroyed during a Tatar invasion.
- 1257After Kraków received Magdeburg Rights, its present street plan was laid out.
Show all
- 14th centuryRoyal coronations took place in Kraków from the 14th century.
- 14th centuryCasimir III the Great founded the Jagiellonian University.
- 1386The Polish throne went to Lithuanian prince Władysław Jagiełło, husband of Queen Jadwiga.
- RenaissanceWawel Cathedral was rebuilt with Italian Renaissance features.
- 17th centuryThe Church of St. Anne and Church of St. Casimir the Prince were built toward the end of the century.
- 19th centuryMost fortifications were demolished, and the filled moat became Planty Park. The Barbican, Florian Gate, northern walls, and three towers survived.
- 1850A city fire caused substantial damage.
- 1876Władysław Czartoryski donated artistic and patriotic collections to the city.
- 1879The National Museum in Kraków was established.
- 1939German forces entered Kraków on 6 September, and the old town was plundered.
- 1994An expanded historic city complex was designated a historic monument by presidential decree on 16 September.
Sources: Kraków Old Town - Wikipedia · Kraków Old Town - Wikipedia (part 2) · Stare Miasto w Krakowie - Wikipedia · Altstadt von Krakau - Wikipedia · checked 24 Sep 2026
Where
Rynek Głowny, Krakow
Questions and answers
Which theatres are in Stare Miasto?
The district contains the Old Theatre and Juliusz Słowacki Theatre. The latter stands on Holy Ghost Square, on the site of a former hospital.
Which churches are in Stare Miasto?
Churches in the district include St. Andrew’s, St. Mary’s, and St. Peter’s and Paul’s.
What is Piwnica pod Baranami?
It is a cabaret at Main Market Square, created by local artists.
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