Rynek Glowny

The Rynek Glowny is the old town's square of Krakow, in the heart of the city. It is simply impossible to miss out on. As I wrote in my blog I find the square a bit too crowded and messy. Not because it is dirty but because all the buildings are standing criss cross around the place. Yet the square is one of the biggest in Europe and full of historical buildings of tremendous architectural value. Most of Krakow got out of world war II unharmed and so the majority of the buildings here are, unlike those in Warsaw, still the original ones.

The whole old town of Krakow is on the UNESCO inheritance list, and so also the Rynek Glowny and the buildings on it. The square exists already since 1257 and is 200 meters wide in both directions. It is a meeting point for many local people, as well as the departure place for horse carriages and tourists vehicles touring through the city. You'll also find many bars, restaurants, terraces and shops around this place, as well as many, many pigeons.

Rynek Glowny used to be lower in the old days. At some places the square was lifted more than 5 meters. The graveyard in front of the Maria Basilica was covered, and under the square there are therefore many cellars. Most of them are now occupied by the restaurants and bars surrounding it.

You'll find the most important attractions of Krakow here at the square, such as the Sukiennice, the Maria Basilica, and the tower.