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Town Hall Tower
Krakow has its own leaning tower. In
fact, the 70-m-tall Town Hall Tower at the
city’s central Grand Square leans just 55 cm.
Yet the reason is unusual – a strong wind did
it in 1703. The massive Gothic tower had been
built of stone and brick by the end of the 13th
century and got its first clock in 1524. Several
fires weakened the Town Hall Tower during the
ensuing 150 years, so its west wall has been
supported since 1680 by a mammoth buttress
reaching up to the third floor. In 1685 the Town
Hall Tower was heightened for 6.5 m. Its present
baroque roof dates back to 1686. The tower once
adjoined Krakow's splendid 13th-century Gothic
Town Hall that was pulled down in the 1820s. Vast
cellars under the Town Hall Tower used to contain
the city dungeon with a torture chamber as well
as a popular beerhouse, and now they have been
turned into a cafe and a theater. Visitors ready to
climb the tower up its 100-step narrow and steep
stairs can enjoy the panoramic view from the top.
They may also see the exhibition of the City of Krakow Historical Museum pertaining to the
history of the municipality. |
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Grand
Square
Krakow’s central Grand Square, 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. Krakow residents and visitors come here
to meet each other, to do business, to shop, and
to enjoy themselves.
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.
The Crown
Royal giant headdress tops the city of
Krakow since 1666
Signal Trump
Hourly musical show in the sky dates
from the Middle Ages
A
Stroll Round the Grand Square
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