The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), standing in the middle of the Main Market Square, is not only a symbol of Kraków and a great photo spot — it is also one of the most important galleries of 19th-century Polish painting. The Main Building of the National Museum at Al. 3 Maja gathers artistic stories of 20th and 21st-century Poland and a representative design collection. Together they form a natural route for anyone who wants to understand the evolution of Polish art from Romanticism to contemporary practice.
If you are interested in painting, it’s worth treating the Cloth Hall and the Main Building at the Avenues as a single art day: the Cloth Hall will show you national fascinations and the heroes of 19th-century painting, while the Main Building at the Avenues lets you follow Polish art further — modernism, Young Poland, the interwar years and later artistic experiments.
For many visitors the greatest value is seeing originals by artists such as Jan Matejko, Jacek Malczewski, Józef Chełmoński, Piotr Michałowski, Aleksander Gierymski or Henryk Siemiradzki — originals have a different power than reproductions.
The Cloth Hall has stood on the Main Market Square since medieval times as a commercial building, but its exhibition role intensified in the 19th century. In 1879 the Cloth Hall was chosen as the seat of the emerging National Museum in Kraków, and donations from artists and private collections gradually shaped a permanent gallery of 19th-century Polish painting.
The Main Building of the National Museum at the Avenues was built as a representative seat for the institution and today presents 20th- and 21st-century collections and broad permanent displays. The museum also includes dispersed branches — artists’ houses, the Arsenal, Kamienica Szołayskich and others — but the Cloth Hall and the Main Building at the Avenues create the easiest and most logical program for a lover of painting.
Renovations and modernizations have preserved the historic atmosphere of the Cloth Hall while offering modern exhibition conveniences, multimedia stops and comfortable routes for visitors.
The Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art in the Cloth Hall is organized thematically: from rooms connected with the Enlightenment, through Romanticism, Realism and Impressionism, to Symbolism and modernization. It’s worth pausing in each room because the layout tells the story of artistic changes and historical contexts.
Among the most frequently noted highlights you will find works by masters such as Jan Matejko (historical paintings and monumental compositions), Jacek Malczewski (symbolic, metaphor-rich portraits), Józef Chełmoński (realistic landscapes and village scenes), Piotr Michałowski (famous horse portraits and battle scenes) and Henryk Siemiradzki, whose donation and painting helped start the collection. You will also encounter works by Aleksander Gierymski, Maurycy Gottlieb and Artur Grottger.
The Cloth Hall also houses large-scale canvases and compositions that, because of their size and weight, rarely leave the gallery — seeing them in situ is a chance not to be missed. If your time is limited, choose a few rooms and read closely what the artist wanted to convey — originals reveal subtle details and brush textures that reproductions cannot capture.
The Main Building at the Avenues is a natural complement to the Cloth Hall visit: permanent exhibitions dedicated to 20th- and 21st-century Polish art and a design gallery provide a broader context for the development of aesthetics and forms. In the Main Building you will see works by Young Poland artists, interwar and contemporary creators, as well as thematic shows that often complete the narrative begun in the Cloth Hall.
If you want to go beyond painting, the Main Building also holds collections of prints, sculpture and everyday design objects — a good place to understand how art permeated everyday life and design in Poland across the 20th century. A simple art-day plan might look like this: Cloth Hall in the morning, coffee break, Main Building at the Avenues in the afternoon.
It’s worth checking the Main Building’s calendar — temporary exhibitions, educational events and conservation demonstrations are often organized and can enrich your program.
Opening hours for the Cloth Hall and many National Museum branches are usually Tuesday–Sunday from around 10:00 to 18:00, with closures on Mondays — check current hours before you go, because the museum publishes short notices about changes or conservation breaks.
Ticket prices for the Cloth Hall usually include full, reduced and family tickets; the museum also offers symbolic prices for young people and sometimes special promotions. For convenience it’s worth buying tickets online — this lets you skip the ticket line and plan your time.
Visiting rules are standard for large institutions: large backpacks should be left in the cloakroom or deposit, respectful and quiet behavior is expected, and amateur photography is generally allowed without flash or tripod unless a room is specifically restricted (ask staff or check the regulations). The museum reserves the right to apply restrictions to selected exhibits.
Organized groups and guided tours with an official museum guide require reservation through the Museum’s Information and Reservation Center. Official guides and museum staff provide in-depth tours — if you appreciate historical and artistic context, consider this option.
The museum provides multimedia tools that make visiting easier — one helpful solution is a mobile app that explains the history of selected works and includes curatorial comments. Using an app can be a good supplement, especially when no guided tour is available.
Audio guides and labels at selected exhibits let you slow down and return to interesting motifs. If you are preparing for a themed visit (for example battle painting, portrait or landscape), check museum catalogues in advance to see which rooms will suit you best.
For visitors who want to dive even deeper — the National Museum’s digital collections available online let you view reproductions and read catalogue notes before arrival. This helps you choose what to see in person.
After an intense encounter with painting it’s good to relax in a trusted place. Around the Main Market Square you’ll find historic, elegant restaurants and atmospheric cafes. Consider well-known spots with good reputations: the atmospheric Camelot Café on Świętego Tomasza Street, the historic Wierzynek Restaurant with its exceptional interiors and atmosphere, and numerous restaurants on the Market Square offering local cuisine and convenient rest.
If you’re looking for accommodation, choose hotels and guesthouses close to the Old Town — this will let you return to the museum another day without losing time on travel. Well-rated central properties often cooperate with local guides and can assist with ticket or restaurant reservations.
For a short break between the Cloth Hall and the Main Building, try finding a café corner on the Small Market Square or in the side streets off the Main Square — a perfect place to talk about art and regroup before the next stage of your visit.
Trying to fit too many points into a single day. The National Museum is extensive; attempting to “see everything” in a few hours ends in rushing. It’s better to pick two or three thematic rooms and view them slowly.
Not checking opening hours and closed days. Remember that different branches have different schedules — museums are often closed on Mondays and sometimes on selected days for conservation or events.
Bringing oversized luggage and not using the cloakroom. Large bags and backpacks must be handed in at the deposit — do this in advance so you don’t lose time at the entrance.
Skipping context and exhibit descriptions. Often the greatest value of a visit is the story behind the work; read labels or listen to a guide to fully appreciate detail and meaning.
The Cloth Hall has served many functions throughout history — beyond trade it hosted official balls, ceremonies and social gatherings. This layered past contributes to the atmosphere of a visit.
Many works in the National Museum’s collections were donated by artists or collectors, so visitors can see pieces that once belonged to private collections. This gives the displays a personal dimension to art history.
The museum also runs conservation work “in front of the public” and sometimes presents the results of research on paintings — a fascinating add-on for those who want to look behind the scenes of heritage care.
How long does a visit to the Cloth Hall take? A standard visit to the permanent exhibition usually lasts from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, but those more deeply interested in art may stay longer.
Are there free entry days? The museum offers free admission days for permanent exhibitions on specific days (check current information before your visit).
Can I take photos? Photography for private use is generally allowed without flash or tripod, unless a room has restrictions — it’s always a good idea to ask staff.
Is it worth booking a guide? If you want historical and artistic context, official museum guides are a great investment. Group tours and guided visits are booked through the museum reservation system.
A simple one-day plan: visit the Cloth Hall in the morning (quieter hours), take a coffee break in one of the nearby cafés, and spend the afternoon at the Main Building at Al. 3 Maja. If you have more time, add artists’ houses and other National Museum branches to your list.
I recommend buying tickets online and checking the schedule of temporary exhibitions to avoid arriving on a closed day or facing special restrictions. Leave large items in the cloakroom, wear comfortable shoes and bring a notebook — often the most valuable reflections come in museum silence.
If you would like professional help planning your visit, arranging logistics, booking tickets, restaurant tables or accommodation, I’m happy to assist personally. Private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz) can prepare a route tailored to your interests, lead tours through the museums and monuments, and handle reservations and logistics. For arrangements visit zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
If you found this article helpful — share it with friends or on social media so more people can plan a successful encounter with art in Kraków.
If you’d like a guided visit with commentary tailored to your interests, to schedule a route through the Cloth Hall and the Main Building at the Avenues, or to organize a comprehensive trip (including ticket, restaurant and accommodation reservations) — contact private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Małgorzata knows the best paths, can adjust the pace of the visit and will take care of practical details so your stay in Kraków is comfortable and full of meaningful experiences.
Wishing you a great visit and many inspiring encounters with painting!
