If you happen to travel to Cracow only for a short period of time it is the must see, number one place to visit. If you have more time in Cracow it will probably become a spot that you will want to visit every day. Below, you will find the article about the most important attractions located at Cracow’s Main Market Square with insider tips from a renowned Polish tourist agency ITS Poland.
Cracow’s Main Market Square attractions by ITS Poland:
- The Cloth Hall
- The Main Market Square Underground Museum
- National Museum Art Gallery of the 19
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- Century Art
- St. Mary’s Church
- Town Hall Tower
- St. Adalbert’s Church
- Eros Bendato Sculpture
- Adam Mickiewicz Monument
- Restaurants
- Souvenir Shops
The Main Market Square
The square is one of the most important landmarks of Cracow (just next to Wawel Castle) that can be seen at all Cracow’s postcards. It has the shape of a square exceeding 200 meters on each side. There are many Medieval beautiful tenement houses around the square which create unique atmosphere and give special charm to this place. Most of the tenement houses host restaurants with tables and gardens, pubs and also souvenir shops. The trusted travel agency ITS Poland especially advices to check the tenement house where Wierzynek Restaurant is located. It is the restaurant with a continuous history of operation since the Middle Ages and that made feasts for Polish kings.
Cracow’s Main Market Square attractions by ITS Poland:
- The Cloth Hall
- The Main Market Square Underground Museum
- National Museum Art Gallery of the 19
- th
- Century Art
- St. Mary’s Church
- Town Hall Tower
- St. Adalbert’s Church
- Eros Bendato Sculpture
- Adam Mickiewicz Monument
- Restaurants
- Souvenir Shops
The Main Market Square
The square is one of the most important landmarks of Cracow (just next to Wawel Castle) that can be seen at all Cracow’s postcards. It has the shape of a square exceeding 200 meters on each side. There are many Medieval beautiful tenement houses around the square which create unique atmosphere and give special charm to this place. Most of the tenement houses host restaurants with tables and gardens, pubs and also souvenir shops. The trusted travel agency ITS Poland especially advices to check the tenement house where Wierzynek Restaurant is located. It is the restaurant with a continuous history of operation since the Middle Ages and that made feasts for Polish kings.
The Cloth Hall
The historic building of the Cloth Hall is situated right in the middle of the square. It is the location of two museums. In the basements tourists can find the modern, multi-media Main Market Square Underground Museum that shows the history of royal Cracow and excavations discovered thanks to an extensive archaeological works that has been undertaken at the market plate. The sightseeing takes from 1.5 to 3 h. The other museum is located at upper floors of the Cloth Hall and is a place of display of the most famous works of Polish art (especially pictures) of the 19th century. It also offers a viewing deck to the Main Market Square. Apart from the museum functions at the ground floor the cloth hall still maintains its commercial role and has rows of shopping stalls filled with souvenirs readily visited by tourists. Travellers will also find restaurants in the building. With so many functions it is no wonder that the central building of the square is so important.
Religious attractions
At the Main Market Square in Cracow tourist will also find one of the two most important churches (next to Wawel Cathedral) in the city which is St. Mary’s Church. It has been erected in Gothic style with two different towers. From one of them tourists listen to a bugle call every day at noon, it is played on a trumpet. It is also possible to visit the interior of the bugle call tower. Inside the church apart from beautiful colourful polychromies, visitors usually admire a masterpiece of the open altar created by Wit Stwosz. ITS Poland travel agency states that entrance to St. Mary’s Basilica is payable for tourists and the ticket office is next to the church. The other religious point on the square is small St. Adalbert’s Church. It is the oldest church in the city. It dates back to the 11th century when it replaced a timber construction erected at the place where St. Adalbert used to preach his sermons to Cracow citizens.
Other distinctive elements at the Main Market Square
There are also other elements that catch tourists’ attention. First of all, there is the old Town Hall Tower. It is the last remaining part of the old town hall building. Nowadays, it is a part of Cracow’s City Museum. It is possible to enter it and admire the panorama of the square from there. Another monument worth mentioning, located just next to the tower, is fairly new (2005) statue of Eros Bendato. It is a characteristic statue of lying head. At the beginning slightly controversial, now is one of many people’s favourites. Finally, there is also Adam Mickiewicz Monument, which often works as a meeting point of guides and groups starting their sightseeing adventure of Cracow. Adam Mickiewicz is one of the most important Polish patriotic poets from the age of Romanticism. ITS Poland also states that Adam Mickiewicz Statue is also a place of performance of many street artists.
The above-mentioned attractions clearly show that Cracow’s Main Market Square is the place where no one can get bored. From the world class modern museums to the top-class medieval tenement houses and architecture and excellent restaurants and souvenir shops. The Main Market Square is the place where tourists cannot get bored and usually numerously return to during their stays in Cracow. Travel agency ITS Poland also says it is the best place where most of the groups start and end their sightseeing adventures of Cracow. We greatly advice to see this spot on your own during your Polish travels. If you need any help in organizing a trip to Poland, feel free to contact our check Polish travel agent ITS Poland and start your adventure still today!