The Cloth Hall is one of Krakow’s most recognizable symbols — a building that for centuries was the centre of trade and today combines tourist and museum functions. The name comes from the word "cloth" — the woollen fabric that used to be traded here intensively. Already in the 13th century, soon after the town was chartered (1257), the first stone market stalls appeared in this part of the Main Square, and over time a masonry market hall was built. Since then the Cloth Hall has undergone many changes, rebuilt after fires and adapted to different eras, so today you can see traces of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the 19th-century restoration.
For high-school students the Cloth Hall is a great example of how material history combines economic, representational and artistic functions. It tells stories about trade, contacts with distant lands (spices, silk, salt) and how European towns developed around markets and legal privileges.
Walking around the Main Square often starts with a view of the Cloth Hall — standing facing the building it’s easy to imagine how centuries ago stalls and merchants formed a crowd here and the hall was the heart of city life.
The oldest traces of buildings go back to the 13th century; the first stone stalls appeared after municipal rights were granted. In the second half of the 14th century a brick, roofed trading hall in the Gothic style was erected on the site of the stalls. A great fire in the mid-16th century (1555) damaged the structure, and the rebuilding gave the Cloth Hall its Renaissance character: an attic with decorative masks and small turrets was added and the interior was divided into two storeys. In the second half of the 19th century another important reconstruction and restoration took place, which restored the Cloth Hall’s representative appearance and adapted the upper floor for a gallery — thanks to that stage the building also became a seat of what was becoming at the time the National Museum.
For school trips it’s useful to remember this "two-stage" history: medieval beginnings, the Renaissance appearance after the 16th century and the 19th-century restoration works that shaped the building we see today.
Remember also local festivities and traditions linked to the Cloth Hall — since the 19th century this place has been the scene of city celebrations, and the Cloth Hall’s Day has been observed to commemorate the 19th-century restoration and to remind people of the site’s importance for Krakow.
The most characteristic element is the decorative attic running along the roof — it gives the building its distinctive, "wavy" upper outline. The attic is decorated with mascarons and fanciful Mannerist details that date from the Renaissance reconstruction. Notice the corner turrets and the loggias on the shorter sides — they were part of the Renaissance arrangement and add elegance to the building.
On the ground floor there are arcaded arcades with stalls and booths — a reminder of the building’s commercial function. In the 19th century risalits above the entrances in the middle of the longer sides were added, which strengthened the rhythm of the façade and made passing through the building easier. If you expect Gothic pointed arches throughout the volume, you will find traces of them in the cellars and foundations, but the façade we see today is primarily the result of later restorations.
When looking at the details, pay attention to the stone mascarons — imagine them as Renaissance "masks", often fanciful and grotesque, meant to decorate the upper part of the building. They are also an example of Mannerist humour in architecture.
On the ground floor the Cloth Hall still hosts stalls and booths with souvenirs, handicrafts, amber jewellery, leather goods and other products aimed at tourists. It’s a good place to see traditional Krakow souvenirs, but if you want authentic local workshops it’s also worth exploring the side streets around the Square, where craftsmen work.
The most important change took place on the upper floor: it houses the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art, a branch of the National Museum in Krakow. The exhibition shows a large collection of Polish painting and sculpture from the 19th century — including works by Jan Matejko, Henryk Siemiradzki, Jacek Malczewski, Józef Chełmoński and Piotr Michałowski. It’s a treat for art-history lovers and an opportunity to see works that illustrate the era of romanticism, historicism and realism in Poland.
Important for students: part of the exhibition presents works with strong historical and national themes that are worth discussing before the trip — that way the paintings will "speak" more and become a starting point for conversations about 19th-century Polish history.
The museum on the upper floor has set opening hours — it is usually closed on Mondays, and on Tuesdays admission to permanent exhibitions is often free. Before you plan a visit check the current hours and the rules for school groups (reservations, fees, group size limits).
If you plan to enter the exhibition with a school group, it’s worth booking a guided tour with a museum guide or using educational materials prepared by the museum — this makes the visit much easier and helps young people better understand the historical context of the works.
For organised groups it is possible to book visits in advance and to arrange tours led by a guide employed by the institution. Make sure supervisors prepare a list of participants and any documents needed for group entry.
Thinking the Cloth Hall is only a souvenir market — that’s a big mistake. If you don’t go upstairs you’ll miss the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art and valuable works of art. When planning your visit include time for the museum.
Visiting at midday during the summer season — the Main Square and the Cloth Hall can be very crowded. It’s better to come in the morning, right after opening, or in the late afternoon if you want photos without big crowds.
Buying the cheapest souvenirs without checking quality — choose stalls with good reviews or look for recommended craftsmen in the side streets. In the Cloth Hall souvenir prices are often fixed; if you plan to haggle, remember that bargaining is not always customary here.
The Cloth Hall is not just a "pretty façade" — under the building’s surface there are relics of earlier construction stages that can be seen during a visit to the Main Square’s underground museum (the Rynek Underground) — a different, fascinating way to learn the city’s history.
Italian masters took part in the Renaissance reconstruction, and the Mannerist details of the attic make the Cloth Hall one of the more interesting examples of Italian influences in Krakow’s architecture.
The Cloth Hall’s Day is observed on August 2 to commemorate the decision to start the 19th-century restoration — it’s a good date to see accompanying events and free tours.
The Main Square and the nearby streets offer many places to eat, but if you want to recommend tried-and-tested spots to students: Wierzynek — a historic and representative restaurant with a long tradition, ideal for showing the atmosphere of old civic banquets; Szara (often called Szara Gęś) — a popular venue at the Square with good food and a pleasant interior; for a quieter coffee and cake try Café Camelot — a atmospheric place near the Square often praised for its vibe.
If the group wants something quick and typically Krakowian, try obwarzanek (a ring-shaped bread) or zapiekanka (toasted open sandwich) from nearby street vendors — these are part of the city’s street-food tradition. Always choose places with good reputations and check recent reviews before you go.
Remember to reserve space for larger groups — on weekends and in the tourist season restaurants near the Square can be full.
The Main Square and the Cloth Hall have heavy tourist traffic — watch your belongings, especially in crowds. For school trips it’s good to agree on a meeting point and a return time.
Taking photos outside and at the stalls is usually allowed, but at craft stalls it’s polite to ask the seller before photographing their display or someone at work. The museum has rules about photography — some rooms may prohibit photos or require flash to be off.
Respect the exhibition space and the objects on display — remind students not to touch artworks and to keep quiet inside the gallery.
Is entering the Cloth Hall free? - The ground floor with the stalls is freely accessible. Admission to the upper-floor exhibitions (Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art) is ticketed. Often on Tuesdays admission to permanent exhibitions is free — check the museum’s current information before your visit.
Can you visit the Cloth Hall with a guide? - Yes. The museum and city institutions organise guided tours, and school groups can book a tour with a guide or a museum educator.
Can you buy souvenirs in the Cloth Hall? - Yes, the ground floor traditionally houses souvenir and craft stalls; if you’re looking for authentic products, compare a few stalls and consider visiting nearby craft workshops.
Before the trip it’s worth discussing a few points in class: the role of the market in a medieval town, trade and goods (for example cloth, salt, spices), Renaissance architecture and the museum’s function. Prepare short notes about a few key paintings and their authors so students can recognise them during the visit.
Practical tasks may include: collecting three interesting facts about the Cloth Hall, drawing an architectural detail, and a short discussion about how trade looked several hundred years ago and what has changed. This active approach makes the information easier to remember.
Remember logistics: tickets, transport, number of supervisors per group and the meeting point after the visit.
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or post about it on social media — it will help others plan an interesting visit to Krakow.
If you would like to visit the Cloth Hall with a guide, you are encouraged to use the services of Małgorzata Kasprowicz, a private guide featured on ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com. A professional guided tour can enrich the experience and make a school trip more engaging and safer.
Good luck on your visit — the Cloth Hall is full of history, art and city energy. Look closely, ask questions and try to imagine how this place buzzed with life centuries ago.
