The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) is a large, long building standing in the middle of Kraków’s Main Market Square. The name comes from the old Polish word for cloth—"sukno"—because for centuries merchants sold fabrics and textiles here. Imagine a market without individual shops, and in its center a row of stalls where traders haggled over the best pieces of material—that was the Cloth Hall in medieval times. The building has been a trading place for a very long time and its look and function changed over the centuries. Today the ground floor is still busy with stalls, while the upper floor houses an art gallery.
Small market stalls were already here in the 13th century. In the 14th century the Cloth Hall was rebuilt in brick in the Gothic style. In 1555 a great fire badly damaged it, and between 1556 and 1559 it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. At that time an ornamental attic was added above the roofline, decorated with characteristic mascarons—carved stone faces and masks. In the 19th century (1875–1879) the building went through a major renovation that gave it much of the appearance we see today. After those works, the upper floor was converted into a gallery that later became part of the National Museum.
On the ground floor you’ll still find booths and stalls selling souvenirs, handicrafts and small gifts. It’s a great place to buy an obwarzanek (the Kraków pretzel), postcards, magnets or wooden toys. For children this is often the most fascinating part—colorful stalls, lively sellers and the buzz of the Market Square. Remember to ask the price before buying and don’t leave valuables unattended, because crowded places can bring unpleasant surprises.
The first floor of the Cloth Hall contains the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art, a branch of the National Museum. Here you will see paintings and sculptures by Polish artists from the 19th century. Pay attention to the large, colorful historical paintings and works by well-known painters—viewing them helps understand how artists told stories about important events in Polish history. Museums often have rules: don’t touch the paintings, some rooms may prohibit photography, and large backpacks usually need to be left in a cloakroom or stored. If you come with a class, supervisors often arrange a guided tour or use educational materials prepared by the museum.
The Cloth Hall has several easy-to-spot features: a long rectangular shape, arcaded walkways along the sides, an elegant attic decorated with mascarons, plus loggias and small corner turrets. The attic is a decorative wall above the roof that also helped protect neighboring roofs. Mascarons are those imaginative carved faces—they can look scary or funny, so kids usually love them. Look closely at the column capitals and details—there are often small sculptures or symbols hidden there, which you can hunt for like a detective game.
- Hold a contest: who can find the quirkiest mascaron? Describe what it looks like. - Count the columns and arches— which entrance is the biggest? - History task: imagine what goods might have been sold in the Cloth Hall 500 years ago (hint: fabrics, spices, leather, salt). - Make a mini-sketch of one part of the façade—you don’t need to be an artist, it’s about careful looking. These activities will make the visit an engaging lesson in history and art.
Planning the trip: check the museum’s opening hours and rules in advance. Many city museum branches are closed on Mondays, and Tuesdays are often days with free admission—which can mean larger crowds, so factor that in. Buying tickets online saves time and stress. How to prepare pupils: remind them of museum rules (quiet voices, don’t touch exhibits, ask the guide politely). Bring small snacks and water bottles—eating is usually not allowed inside the museum, but a break outside in the Market Square is a great idea. Safety: Market Square can be crowded, so set a meeting point and a contact number for supervisors, split children into smaller groups with adult leaders, and pin a note with the trip name and a phone number to each child’s clothing.
Mistake: coming on Monday and being surprised the museum is closed. How to avoid: always check the day of the week and opening hours before leaving. Mistake: planning a visit on Tuesday just because it’s “free day” — it can be very crowded then. How to avoid: if you want a calm visit, pick another day and buy tickets in advance. Mistake: bringing large backpacks into museum rooms. How to avoid: leave backpacks in the cloakroom or on the bus. Mistake: using flash photography where it’s forbidden. How to avoid: always check signs at the entrance to each room and ask staff if unsure.
- In former times kings and important guests were welcomed in the Cloth Hall—grand balls and official receptions were sometimes held there. - The mascarons and attic had a practical role too: the attic helped protect the roofs of neighboring houses and could help slow the spread of fire. - The Cloth Hall’s upper floor was one of the first permanent seats of the National Museum in Poland, so the building has special importance for Polish art and culture. - For the youngest visitors: many guide stories say some of the stone faces “watch” the Market and have their own little stories—ask about them during a guided tour.
After visiting, the Main Market Square offers many places to sit and relax. Choose well-reviewed and trusted spots, especially when you’re with children. Look for cafés with desserts and hot chocolate, restaurants serving Polish food if you want to try local flavors, or small places with sandwiches and juices for kids. If you want something quick and traditional, try an obwarzanek krakowski—an iconic Kraków snack often sold near the Market.
Is the Cloth Hall part of the National Museum? - Yes, the first floor houses a branch of the National Museum with the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art. Can I enter the Cloth Hall for free? - There are sometimes days or hours with free entry at city museums (for example, some museums offer free admission on Tuesdays), but it’s best to check current information before your visit, as policies can change. Can I take photos? - Photos are usually allowed on the ground-floor market stalls. In museum rooms there may be bans on flash photography or on photography altogether—always follow posted signs. How much time do I need to visit? - A quick look around the ground floor and at the façade takes about 20–30 minutes. A full visit to the gallery on the first floor can take 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on interest.
A good trip is well planned but still leaves room for fun and rest. Set a schedule for the day but remember a break in the square, a short game or an outdoor task for pupils. If you like, arrange for a museum guide or use educational materials—the extra explanation helps children understand what they see. Finally, share photos and impressions with classmates and family so the memories last. If you enjoyed this article — share it with friends or on social media. We also encourage you to use the services of licensed guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz for guided visits and school trips—contact details and more information are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
