Main Market Square

You’re now standing in Rynek Główny, at the heart of Kraków’s Old Town. Rynek means market, and Główny means main—so welcome to the Main Market Square! It was laid out in 1257, during the city’s reconstruction after the 1241 Mongol invasion. This is the largest medieval square in Europe! Like most great public squares, it has seen its share of drama and glory. The Market Square once served as a trading hub, but it has also been a gathering place for celebrations, public executions, and everything in between. Royal processions and funeral convoys used to pass through here on their way to the cathedral. Major political events also unfolded on this spot. During the Nazi occupation, the square was renamed Adolf Hitler Platz, and the statue of the great Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz was destroyed. Mickiewicz is a powerful symbol of Polish culture and identity, and his monument was rebuilt in 1955 for the centenary of his death. You’ll see it standing proudly in the square, surrounded by four symbolic figures: Homeland, Poetry, Science, and Courage. Every December 24th, on Saint Adam’s Day, local florists lay a bouquet at the statue’s feet in tribute to the poet. Opposite him stands one of Kraków’s most iconic landmarks: St. Mary’s Basilica. Built in the 13th century on the ruins of a Romanesque church destroyed during the Tatar invasions, the basilica was constructed in Gothic style, a popular choice at the time. It may seem a little off-center compared to the rest of the square. That’s because, following tradition, it was built facing east, long before the square was designed. The church’s two towers were completed in the 15th century. The lower one, topped with a Renaissance-style dome, stands 69 meters tall and houses five bells from different periods. The taller northern tower was raised higher to serve as a watchtower. It’s been crowned with a spiky Gothic spire since 1478 and still plays a ceremonial role today. From the top of this tower, a trumpeter plays a tune, called the Hejnał, every hour, facing all four directions. Kraków is the only city in the world to maintain this medieval tradition! The melody is broadcast live at noon each day on Poland’s main public radio channel—a tradition that dates back to 1928. Hejnał means “dawn” in Hungarian, and the custom originates from the old practice of sounding an alarm at dawn and dusk, in the direction of each city gate, to warn that the town was closing. In the year 2000, the Hejnał made it into the Guinness World Records, when 2,000 trumpeters gathered here to play it together. That must’ve been quite a sight! The basilica is just as impressive inside. While much of the interior is in baroque style, its biggest treasure is the magnificent wooden altarpiece carved by Veit Stoss. It’s the largest Gothic wooden altarpiece in Europe and a masterpiece of late medieval art. You’ll also see a commemorative plaque honouring John Paul II, who served as Archbishop of Kraków before becoming pope. In 1978, Kraków’s historic center became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.