Main Market Square / Rynek Glowny
Krakow, Poland
Krakow
Lesser Poland Voivodeship
Poland
Krakow's Main Market Square (Rynek) is the very city's centre. Originally designed in 1257, the grid-like layout of the Old Town and its central square has changed little. Measuring 200 metres square, the Rynek Market Square ranks as one of the largest medieval squares in Europe, and is surrounded by elegant townhouses, all with their own unique names, histories and curiosities.
There king was sworn and public executions held. Also there Tadeusz Kościuszko roused the locals to revolt against Russians in 1794. The Market Square has always been the stage for public celebrations, starting from parades of sausage dogs to Christmas competitions. When Nazis occupied Poland, the square's name was changed to "Adolf Hitler Platz". Today the square mostly used by tourists and annual Christmas and Easter markets, as well as numerous festivals and outdoor concerts.
In the centre of the Market Square stands the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice). Built in the 14th century this huge hall was the first shopping mall in the world. To this day it is still crammed with merchant stalls selling amber, lace, woodwork and other tourist goods. The second floor hosts 19th Century Polish Art Gallery.
Directly next to the Cloth Hall stands Poland's most eminent scribe: Adam Mickiewicz. Ironically, the bard never visited the city until after his death when his remains were transferred to the Wawel Cathedral crypt, but this hasn't stopped the statue from becoming one of Kraków's best loved monuments.
Across from Mickiewicz looms the magnificent St. Mary's Basilica, with its crowning glory - Veit Stoss' altarpiece. The area surrounding the Basilica was formerly a cemetery, and the bodies of hundreds of Krakovians still lie beneath the cobbles. Some tourists will also appreciate the set of metal neck restraints displayed on the side door of St. Mary's, formerly used to punish philandering women.
On the other side of the square is the 70 metre Town Hall Tower, the only building of the Town Hall complex remaining after many fires and demolitions since 14th century. Visitors can get up to the 3rd floor through Gothic vaulted rooms and watch on the square below.
Map
User reviews
zithro
Huge (200x200m) large market square in the heart of Krakow.
In this marketplace you don't even drum, if you visit Krakow - it will be curly in addition, with numerous monuments.
You should definitely be with the bureaux de change be careful because the work around the market with approximately 20% of Commission (too bad about the vacation money). Definitely a minus point of the exaggerated many of the Recruiters of the Sightseeing tours.
Um diesen Marktplatz kommt man gar nicht drum rum, wenn man Krakau besichtigt - es wird zudem mit zahlreichen Sehenswurdigkeiten gelockt.
Man sollte definitiv mit dem Wechselstuben vorsichtig sein, da die rund um den Markt mit ca. 20% Provision arbeiten (schade um das Urlaubsgeld). Definitiv ein Minuspunkt geht von den ubertrieben vielen Anwerbern der Sightseeing-touren aus.
Larah
Very large historic central market place. Lively, fresh, mainly flanked by restaurant
Michael
Best and biggest market square in Europe! Absolutely beautiful, and full of great restaurants, cafe's and bars.
It's one of the few places in Krakow, that never really sleeps.. Even the McDonalds located 20 meters from this square, is only closed for about 1 hour during the day (early in the morning, while they are cleaning..), in fact its open almost every day around the year.
Bonus info: Rynek Glowny has Old Town's only 24 hour Public Toilet - its located in the far end of the Sukiennice ("Clothe Hall"), which is facing the LOZA cafe.
luis
Service Pesimo.
The owner hires students malcarado throw you the food.
To any request the answer is NO.
The food,vulgar and we have tried to collect others.
The worst site in Poland that has been and I have gone on three occasions
El dueno contrata estudiantes malcarado que te echan la comida.
A cualquier peticion la respuesta es NO.
La comida,vulgar y nos han tratado de cobrar demas.
El peor sitio de Polonia de los que haya estado y he ido en tres ocasiones
Francois
Beautiful square in the centre of Krakow, there are a lot of good restaurants at the side, and it is not expensive !
Francisco
Beautiful central square in krakow,we are surprised the amount of people on their terraces in the month of September. It is worth to take a walk and enjoy the views
Piotr
10 minutes walk from main railway station.
Likely, starting point for your visit in Cracow.
Usually crowded, not very suprasing though I guess.
Souranded by dozens of small streets, awesome atmosphere with so many places to discover that event living there won't lets one to explore all.
Its just nice.
Might be expensive so you need to be careful.
Jacek
A unique place, the special atmosphere, the magic of Krakow
Igor
One of the biggest Main Market Squares you could find. I love the atmosphere there. Usually crowdy (especially during the holidays times). Must visit when in Krakow.
Agnes
A must-see in Krakow.
veronique
Very nice place ,lots of bars and restaurants ... Location of the market throughout the day and evening...
David
Great place just watch out for: currency exchange offices around the Rynek Glowny tourist are rip-offs!
Kati
The square is to bussy. Too many restaurants in genrral food is very poor!!! Many people cheap suvenirs and the horses smell is brry bad. Nice architecture but there are 2 other squares more quiet.
tOmAs
Beautiful square full of restaurants and bars
Urszula
Beautiful place! There's a lot to see, and the smells of the restaurants you try everywhere! There is something for all budgets, but all in all, it's still affordable
Matteo
Wonderful square! It was too crowded when i visited this place, but it was because of WYD. There are lots of places to visit and see, you MUST visit it if you come to Kraków.
Oscar
The main square and Market Square of Krakow is a wonder. In full city center and with interesting buildings. All very neat and nice. One of the places most great of Europe
Kai
Magnet of attraction for every tourist. The beer flows and the cash registers are ringing :-)
Jeremie
Great place to hang out. Love the atmosphere here. There are so much places to visit from here. Would recommend to every one.
Cameran
Very busy square with plenty of bars and restaurants. Horses and carriages will take you for a ride around here and there were several people offering segways for the day. Lovely architecture with the main building in the centre and the surrounding buildings along with the church in the corner. Very nice fountain here too especially at night!
Liam
With a wide range of restaurants aeound tge square and a marketplace in the middle and its history make this a must visit place while in krakow
Frowin
Very nice market with a great selection of local specialties.
Katarzyna
Small, family-friendly, just wonderful. A lot of emotions O
Jakub
Definitely worth to see, curious architecture and beautifully renovated.
Definitely worth a look, interesting architecture and renovation.
Zdecydowanie warty zobaczenia, ciekawa architektura i ładnie odnowiony.
Jakub
The main market in Krakow, one of the largest in Europe. Definitely worth to see.
Main square in Cracow, it's one of the biggest squares in Europe. It's worth to see.
Main square in Cracow, it's one of the biggest squares in Europe. It's worth to see.
Malgorzata
A wonderful place, where life is raging both on the day and in the night. Surrounded by numerous pubs, Cafes, and Restaurants. With a great Mediterranean Flair.
Ilia
The heart of Krakow - thousands of tourists are here every day. A lot of restaurants surround the square.
Joachim
Great Place!
Super to sit when the weather is nice outside!!!
Super um bei schönem Wetter draußen zu sitzen!!!
Santiago
Dawid
Jeroen
The main square in Krakow, very beautiful. The ambiance around the square is great. There are a lot of restaurants around the square. A must visit when you are in Krakow!
Christian
Amazing place, with so many shops as well, most of them are hidden underground so you will have to look carefully for the entrance. Only bad thing I found about the place was that at night there are quite a few shady subjects but that's to be expected from a big city like Krakow.
Ivo
See
I went there in Christmas where the Christmas Market was open. When visiting, you must try the Chimney Bread and the Hot Chocolate there, it's simply amazing! The locals mostly speak fluent English and are very friendly. If you wish, you can also get dragon themed souvenirs to remember the historic city of Krak?w.
Alain
Beautiful place, indeed, but appalling attacks multiple different touts to perform at various circuits E. V with a non-negligible cost !! Always this problem of exchange rate (pln) that had been forgotten in much of Europe.
In this regard, AVOID the two offices of exchange at the natural exit of the place, the beginning street Florianska surrounding the Kebab Isis... real thieves, thus indicating a competitive exchange of 4.23 pln for 1 to end up with a sum of 341 pln and 313 pln for the agency modern Kantor (the worst !!) instead of 420 pln (about changes in the course of the day) for 100 . 100 Pln chewed by these agencies, about a $ 25 commission !! Absolutely unfair and outrageous !! So be warned !!
A ce sujet, EVITEZ les deux bureaux de change à la sortie naturelle de la place, début rue Florianska entourant le Kebab Isis... De vrais voleurs, faisant miroiter un change avantageux de 4.23 pln pour 1 € pour se retrouver avec une somme de 341 pln et 313 pln pour l'agence moderne Kantor (la pire !!) au lieu de 420 pln environ (change au cours du jour) pour 100 €. Soit 100 Zlotys croqués par ces agences environ 25 € de commission !! Absolument abusif et scandaleux !! Donc prenez garde !!
