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Krakow's barbican, view of the 18th century

The Great Barbican of Krakow 

Krakow's main city gate, Brama Florianska, was made insurmountable in the beginning of the l6th century thanks to Europe's mightiest barbican. The circular marvel of military architecture surrounds space 24.4 meter in diameter. Its high walls are three meters thick. The awesome structure, topped with seven turrets, has 130 loopholes in four rows: the lower to be used by artillery, the upper for archers and riflemen. 

 

In the past the Krakow barbican (Barbakan in Polish) was surrounded by a 30-meter-wide, deep moat. However, if the enemy had forced their way in, they would have found themselves entrapped inside and shoot at from all sides. The barbican was connected with the Brama Florianska gate tower by a drawbridge and a walled passage. 

Nowadays the 500-year-old fortification serves occasionally for a summer concert hall, theater etc. 

Krakow's medieval barbican

Tour of the Krakow barbican 

The barbican is included in the tour of the Brama Florianska gate tower and adjacent medieval fortifications. They are open to visitors daily from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the high season, namely between April 1st and October 31st. Sightseers enter through the Baszta Pasamonikow tower at the eastern end of Pijarska street at Szpitalna street. Besides the barbican the tour consists of the parapet walk of the remnants of the city walls, the neo-Gothic upstairs chapel of the Brama Florianska gate, and the Brama Stolarska tower. A regular ticket costs eight zlotys.

 


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.

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.

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

Cloth Hall
The world's oldest shopping mall has been in business for 700 years. The present Renaissance edifice dates from 1555.

Town Hall Tower
Krakow's leaning tower was built by the end of the 13th century.

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

Planty Garden Ring
Park of 30 varied gardens among old trees round Krakow's Old Town historical district

Collegium Maius
15th-century impressive Grand College of the Krakow university where Copernicus once studied.

Krakow mummies
Picturesque 17th-century church and monastery shelter numerous naturally mummified bodies in their crypts.

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

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Krakow Old Town Historical District
Poland's prime tourist
attraction and a must-see in Central Europe boasts numerous world-class monuments, charming vistas, delightful atmosphere, and the best restaurants

Wawel Royal Castle

Wawel Cathedral

Grand Square

Basilica of the Virgin Mary's

Cloth Hall

Town Hall Tower

City Walls

Planty Garden Ring

Collegium Maius

Krakow mummies

Kanonicza Street


Old Town map

Tours of Krakow

Suggested itineraries

   

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