The Royal Road in Krakow

Krakow's Royal Way

Krakow’s Royal Road, the ceremonial route kings and the like took across Poland’s historical capital, links most of its marvels. As the city had 8 gates, sure the Monarchs entered through the main one, the Gothic Floriańska gate of c. 1300 and–since 1499–the mighty Barbican before it; now both nicely preserved with the adjacent city walls and towers. From the gate the Floriańska street, from time immemorial Krakow’s busiest, leads to the central square. At 45 Floriańska street the Jama Michalika cafe (est. 1895) boasts period art nouveau decor; at no. 41 there is The House of Jan Matejko, the great 19th-century painter’s residence turned into a museum. The street ends at the foot of the 14th-century Gothic basilica of the Virgin Mary’s, the city’s chief and biggest church. Every full hour the ancient Krakow Signal is trumpeted to the world’s four sides from its taller, crowned tower. The basilica overlooks the Grand Square–Europe’s largest medieval city plaza, with the Renaissance Cloth Hall of 1555 in the midst and the 13th-century Gothic Town Hall Tower in the background. In the square’s southern corner one finds the tiny 11th-century church of St. Adalbert’s (Polish Wojciech), its original Romanesque form barely veiled by a Baroque renovation, with an archeological preserve underground. One block down the near Grodzka street there is a square flanked by two grand 13th-century temples. Right, the Romanesque basilica of St. Francis’, famous for its turn of the century’s splendid stained-glass modernist windows and floral frescos, adjoins a Franciscan monastery. Left, the Gothic basilica of Holy Trinity dwarfs the adjacent Dominican monastery. Both monasteries boast the 14th-century great cloisters, full of art. The Franciscan one neighbors the Renaissance Wielopolskich Palace of 1560, a city hall since 1865. Halfway down the Grodzka street turn right to the Senacka street and next instant left to find the scenic Kanonicza street, arguably one of Europe’s finest, lined with stately and mostly Renaissance houses. In its half a charming square unveils the white facade of the imposing Jesuit Baroque church of St. St. Peter and Paul’s of 1619 next to the grand Romanesque church of St. Andrew’s of ca 1090. From 1951 to 1963 Father Karol Wojtyla, future Pope John Paul II, dwelled at 19 and 21 Kanonicza St, where his former rooms have been turned into a part of the Archdiocese Museum, otherwise showing mostly church art. The street ends just at the foot of the Wawel Royal Castle atop the Wawel Hill and next the Royal Road climbs up the elevation to the double gates (of the 20th c and 17th c respectively) in its walls. The steps on the left behind the second gate lead to the Wawel Cathedral, while the next turn left will bring you to the Royal Castle’s entrance.

Suggested itineraries in Krakow, on foot
The best way to enjoy old Krakow is afoot.

Stroll Round the Grand Square

Stroll through Krakow's Kazimierz District

Planty walk round the Old Town

In the footsteps of Pope John Paul II

City Walls
700-year-old main city gate with adjoining mighty walls and towers.

Basilica of the Virgin Mary's
The immense Gothic church, Krakow's principal temple since the 13th century, shelters the world's greatest Gothic sculpture among its many excellent works of art.

Grand Square
Krakow’s central Grand Square (Rynek Glowny), the largest plaza of medieval Europe and one of the world’s finest with its spectacular landmarks, has remained the hub of the city since the 13th century.

Kanonicza Street
The most beautiful of Europe's ancient streets,arguably.

Wawel Royal Castle
Home to three dynasties of Poland's monarchs. Its stately halls and exquisite chambers are filled with priceless art, best period furniture and rare ancient objects. The collection of the 16th-century monumental Flemish tapestries is matchless.

Wawel Cathedral
Poland's impressive national shrine shelters plenty of superb church art. Its giant bell of 1520 ranks with the world's largest. Most Polish kings and their family members are buried in the cathedral, its chapels and crypts.