The Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) is a place where every tourist's journey begins in Kraków.
Established in 1257 The Main Market Square with area of 4 hectares is the largest medieval market squares in Europe and one of the most beautiful too.
It was designed as an exact square of 200 x 200 metres from which a symmetrical mesh of smaller lovely streets radiates, creating a perfect urban layout for a walk.
Key landmarks you must see when in the Main Market Square:
- St. Mary's Basilica: most important church in Poland, built in Gothic style, featuring majestic twin towers from where the Hejnał is sounded every hour, and the famous wooden altarpiece made by German sculptor Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz)
- Cloth Hall (Sukiennice): the renaissance trading hall building located in the centre of the square
- Adam Mickiewicz Monument: A tribute to Poland's most important poet, used by the locals as a meeting point and street performances
- Town Hall Tower: remaining part of the old 14th-century town hall, now offering panoramic views of the city
- St. Adalbert's Church: Kraków's oldest church, and very small at the same time with just a couple of benches
- Underground Historical Museum of Kraków: located directly under the plate of the Main Market Square shows the history of Poland and Kraków itself. Entry in the Cloth Hall from the Basilica side.
To enhance tourist experience, the square is closed to vehicular traffic and has a pedestrian and pedestrian-cyclist zones to ensure a safe and pleasant visit.
Interesting fact is that over centuries, due to numerous extensions and reconstructions, the square has gained five metres in elevation and many buildings cellars today used to be at the ground level in the past.
The Main Market Square in Kraków - Rynek Główny - is undoubtedly the beating heart of Kraków, where all the exploration and journey begins, so everyone visiting Kraków must see it.