The Cloth Hall is one of those images almost anyone recognizes after seeing a photo of Krakow’s Main Market Square. It’s not just a beautiful façade with a decorative parapet and arcades — it’s a place that for centuries shaped the rhythm of trade, culture and social life in the city. Today the upper rooms house the Gallery of 19th‑Century Polish Art, while the ground floor still buzzes with small trade and souvenir stalls, creating a unique dialogue between the building’s historic function and modern tourist life.
For many visitors the Cloth Hall is a landmark, a must‑see stop on a Old Town route and a perfect background for a photo in the heart of Krakow. It’s also an important example of architectural change and conservation, and an institutional museum with a rich collection.
If you want to feel the Cloth Hall at its best — spend some time there in the morning when the light sculpts the arcades, visit the upstairs gallery and enjoy a coffee on the terrace while taking in the Main Square panorama.
The Cloth Hall’s roots go back to the Middle Ages — the first wooden and later stone trade structures appeared on the site after the town’s charter in the 13th century. The name comes from “cloth” — the building was a major center for the trade in fabrics and textiles.
In 1555 the building burned down and was rebuilt in a Renaissance style, which gave it features we still recognize today: a decorative parapet with sculpted masks and the rhythm of arcades. Over the following centuries the Cloth Hall served many roles — as a marketplace, a venue for ceremonies and, later, it fell into partial neglect.
In the second half of the 19th century, thanks to city authorities and the efforts of mayor Mikołaj Zyblikiewicz, architect Tomasz Pryliński led an extensive renovation (1875–1879). That work gave the Cloth Hall the appearance that became an icon of Krakow and prepared the upper floor for the first permanent seat of the National Museum — the museum in the Cloth Hall opened in 1879.
In the 21st century the Cloth Hall underwent further conservation and modernization during the project known as the New Cloth Hall (gallery renovation in the 2006–2010 period). The historic interiors gained modern museum facilities and a multidimensional exhibition.
Walking under the arcades and along the façades, pay attention to the parapet with its ornate crest and richly carved mascarons — these are some of the most characteristic features of the Cloth Hall. The column capitals display various motifs, and every decorative fragment contains references to historic costume and form.
Along the building’s transverse axis there is a passage that links one side of the Square with the other. In that passage you’ll see an iron knife — a remnant of medieval Magdeburg law and a detail that appears in local tales and legends. Look closely at the sculptural groups on the risalits as well as the friezes and blind arches above the arcades.
On the ground floor, beneath the arcades, you’ll find traditional stalls, contemporary handicraft boutiques and, in season, café tables. Upstairs the large museum halls retain a historic layout that blends a 19th‑century atmosphere with contemporary exhibition solutions.
The upper rooms of the Cloth Hall host a permanent exhibition dedicated to Polish painting and sculpture of the 19th century. The collection grew largely thanks to donations from artists and collectors; one notable donation was a painting by Henryk Siemiradzki, which helped spur the creation of the museum in the Cloth Hall.
The exhibits include works by major artists of the era: historical paintings, landscapes, realism and early signs of symbolism. After the renovation and modernization, the gallery presents a balanced mix of historical scenography and modern educational features — multimedia presentations, audio equipment and interactive displays.
If you’re interested in art, allow at least an hour for the gallery. If you prefer a shorter visit, pick one or two themed rooms and focus on the most important paintings.
The Cloth Hall has its legends — the most famous concerns the iron knife in the passage, linked to historic punishments and municipal law. Stories about the brothers who built St. Mary’s Church towers also appear in local anecdotes and add color to a visit.
Another interesting fact: in the 19th century a café with polychrome decorations and artistic décor operated in the Cloth Hall, while the upper floor was adapted as the first home of the National Museum in Krakow. The Cloth Hall was also a venue for grand celebrations and balls — walking there today you follow traces of everyday life and festivities from centuries past.
For art lovers it’s worth remembering that during major renovations artworks were temporarily moved and shown elsewhere — such evacuations were significant logistical and conservation undertakings in their own right.
The upper‑floor gallery and the ground‑floor stalls operate on seasonal opening hours, so it’s best to check current information on the museum’s site before your visit. Many Krakow cultural institutions offer days with free admission to permanent displays — confirm this in advance if you’d like to save on entry fees.
To avoid the biggest crowds, visit early in the morning right after opening or late in the afternoon. In summer and on weekends the Main Square becomes very busy, and the most crowded spots on the Cloth Hall’s ground floor are around the entrances and the most attractive souvenir stalls.
If you plan to enter the gallery with a larger group, book tickets or time slots in advance. Be mindful of exhibition comfort — some upstairs rooms limit the number of visitors at once, and certain halls are climate‑controlled and secured to protect the artworks.
Mistake: treating the Cloth Hall only as a shopping spot. The Cloth Hall is also an important museum — spend time upstairs, even 30–60 minutes, to see the exhibition and understand the site’s context.
Mistake: buying the cheapest souvenirs from the first stall you meet. Compare prices, check the quality of handicrafts and avoid counterfeit artworks. Krakow has many authentic craft workshops in the side streets of the Square and in Kazimierz.
Mistake: eating impromptu in the priciest restaurants right on the Square without a reservation. If you want to try top restaurants, reserve a table in advance or choose equally good but less touristy places on nearby streets.
If you’re after a historic venue and classic cuisine, consider Restauracja Wierzynek — a restaurant with a long tradition and a very recognizable presence on the Square. For lovers of cozy cafés, try the narrow streets off the Square, where you’ll find places with great reviews and a pleasant atmosphere.
For a more informal option, look for small cafés and confectioneries near Grodzka and Floriańska streets. In season the Cloth Hall terrace may be open and offers a pleasant view of the Square — a nice break after sightseeing. Always pick places with good reviews and reserve a table during high season.
Practical note: the most famous and frequently recommended restaurants can be expensive — if you want local dishes without a high bill, explore side streets and courtyards where equally good meals are often served at friendlier prices.
Is access to the Cloth Hall terrace paid? Yes — access to the terrace and to some gallery areas is often included in the ticket, but rules can change. Check the museum’s current information before your visit.
How much time do you need to visit? A short visit: 30–45 minutes (ground floor + a brief stop upstairs). A fuller visit to the gallery: 60–120 minutes, depending on your interest in art.
Are the Cloth Hall and the gallery accessible for people with reduced mobility? The building has undergone modernizations that improved accessibility, but check specific details before arrival — especially about entrances and adapted restrooms.
Is it worth buying a combined ticket with other attractions? It is often worth planning visits that include nearby museums and the Market Underground, but compare offers and be sure what each ticket covers.
During major renovations the Cloth Hall’s artworks were temporarily relocated and exhibited elsewhere — a large logistical and conservation effort that highlights how much work caring for national collections requires. The 2006–2010 gallery modernization was one of the biggest recent conservation investments and restored the building’s museum function in a modern form.
The Cloth Hall was not only a place for Polish textiles and crafts — in the Middle Ages trade here included goods from far away, such as spices, silk and salt from nearby mines, which made the Royal Market a far more important economic hub than you might expect today.
In architectural detail you can find images and motifs inspired by historical costume research — the painter Jan Matejko collaborated on selected decorative details during the 19th‑century renovation.
When planning your visit, combine the Cloth Hall with nearby points on the Square: St. Mary’s Basilica, the Market Underground, and the Adam Mickiewicz Monument. To avoid crowds pick a morning hour or late afternoon and consider visiting outside the busiest tourist season.
If you need help planning a trip — routes, gallery ticket bookings, restaurant reservations or organizing transport and accommodation — you can use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Contact information is available on the zwiedzaniekrakowa.com website. Małgorzata can advise a route tailored to your interests, guide you through museums and interesting spots, and assist with logistics and reservations.
If you found this article useful — share it with friends planning a trip to Krakow. And if you’d like a personalized tour of the Cloth Hall and the Market Square area, get in touch with Małgorzata, who will gladly help create the perfect visit plan.
