The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), standing in the very heart of Kraków, brings together trade, architecture, art and social history — this makes it an excellent and flexible subject for creative student work at many levels. It is more than a "pretty building" on the market square: it tells stories about medieval and modern trade networks, crafts, urban change and how art shapes national identity (the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art has been operating in the Cloth Hall since the 19th century).
The topic is versatile: you can approach it historically (origins and trading functions), artistically (the museum collection, exhibitions, attic sculptures), technically (reconstructions, architectural drawing, 3D models) and socially (the role of fairs, guild connections, everyday life of merchants). That variety makes it easy to prepare interdisciplinary projects that meet curriculum goals and contest criteria for originality.
For teachers: the Cloth Hall lets you meet objectives in history, art, cultural studies and entrepreneurship — plan projects ahead and make use of the National Museum in Kraków’s educational offer, which includes museum lessons, games and workshops for schools.
The first masonry market hall on this site dates to the 13th century. Over time the building underwent many changes: Gothic expansions, later Renaissance-style rebuilding and 19th-century modernizations. The Cloth Hall was a centre for textile trade and exotic goods (spices, silk) and a meeting place for merchants from across Europe.
From the late 19th century the upper floor of the Cloth Hall became home to the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art — the National Museum in Kraków’s first permanent exhibition. In the 21st century the building underwent major renovation and modernization, so today it combines historic value with museum and tourist functions.
The Cloth Hall stands on the Main Market Square, which is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site — an additional reason to treat the topic as an important element of cultural heritage.
Mini classroom exhibition: Collect photos, reproductions of works from the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art, object descriptions and short student essays. Set the exhibition up in the school library or corridor with simple labels and QR codes linking to extra materials.
Illustrations and a historical comic: Students can create a comic showing a day in the life of a Cloth Hall merchant — from bargaining and transporting goods to evening balls and celebrations. This is a great mix of history and language/art classes.
Scale model of the Cloth Hall: An art project using paper, cardboard or 3D printing. Students can measure proportions, draw façades and build a model highlighting architectural features (arcades, attic, mascaron).
Multimedia presentation: A team produces a short documentary (max. 5–8 minutes) with narration, photos, brief interviews (for example with a history teacher) and animations showing the building’s changes.
Educational game or quiz: Design a board game or an online quiz (Kahoot, Quizizz) about the history of the Cloth Hall and Kraków’s Market Square. Add questions about painters in the National Museum collection, architecture and trade.
Source research and problem essay: Older students can compare the Cloth Hall’s functions in the Middle Ages and the 19th century, analyse historical sources and iconography, and present conclusions as an essay or scientific-style presentation.
Interdisciplinary project — "The Cloth Hall in culture": Combine literature (travelers’ accounts), art (paintings from the collection), geography (trade routes) and mathematics (scaling, models). The result can be a multi-part show or a project website.
Historical reconstruction / educational play: Prepare a short historical sketch or performance with costumes based on historical facts — an excellent format for theatre or history contests.
Mobile or VR app: For students interested in IT — an interactive guide to the Cloth Hall with maps, descriptions and archival photos. Even a simple prototype made in Unity or as a responsive website has high contest value.
Contact the National Museum in Kraków’s Information and Reservation Centre to check availability of museum lessons, games and guided tours. The museum offers school activities, museum games and teacher training — some sessions are paid, but there are discounts for groups and special programmes.
Book a date in advance and confirm the number of participants and any special needs (assistance for people with disabilities, translation, foreign language tours). Tuesdays are often free admission days for the museum’s permanent exhibitions — check this before planning your visit.
Prepare working materials for students: worksheets (tasks, quizzes, space for sketches), cameras/phones for documentation, cardboard/glue for models. Set safety rules and divide students into groups to keep the visit orderly and effective.
Recognise the architecture: Students receive photos of façade details and match them to descriptions (for example attic, arcade, mascaron).
Describe an exhibit: Each group chooses a 19th-century painting from the collection and prepares a short note: author, title, year, technique, what it shows and the emotions it evokes.
Merchant’s route: Students plan the route of a traded good (e.g., silk, spices) from origin to the Cloth Hall, describing transport methods, intermediaries and logistical challenges.
Mini source study: Work with short quotes or historical maps — what do they tell us about the Cloth Hall’s role in the city’s economy?
Museum lesson and game fees are usually charged per student or as a minimum group fee — check current prices with the Reservation Centre. The museum also offers discounts (for youth cards or large groups).
If you plan a class trip, consider splitting costs into categories: transport, museum fees, art materials, insurance. Booking outside the high tourist season can reduce costs.
Weather and logistics: The Main Market Square is open, so prepare clothing appropriate for conditions. When planning meal breaks, choose reliable venues and reserve tables for groups.
For a short break during a school trip, well-known places around the Market Square include Restauracja Wierzynek (historic and elegant), E. Wedel Chocolate Lounge (for sweet lovers) and cosy cafés like Cafe Camelot. For school groups, ask in advance about group menus and discounts.
For multi-day school trips, hotels close to the Market Square are practical: Hotel Stary is popular for its proximity to sights, and larger hotel chains nearby offer good conference facilities. When booking, check accommodation conditions for chaperones and options for storing project materials.
For cheaper and quicker meals, side streets off the Market offer restaurants serving Polish and European cuisine with good reviews and reasonable prices.
On the Cloth Hall’s attic there are Mannerist mascaron sculptures that make excellent topics for illustration or art riddles. Ask students to create their own mascaron variants and explain what they symbolise.
In the 19th century the Cloth Hall was the site of important patriotic and cultural events — use this theme for a project combining history and civic education (for example a reconstruction or class newspaper).
During the "New Cloth Hall" modernisation hundreds of artworks were moved using special routes and storage facilities — a good starting point for a project on logistics and conservation of cultural heritage.
Being too general — a project that only "describes the Cloth Hall" rarely stands out. It’s better to pick a narrow topic (for example trade, architecture, the 19th-century collection) and explore it in depth.
Lack of sources and documentation — encourage students to work with museum materials, photos, maps and literature. Even a short reference to a specific painting or date raises a project’s academic value.
Unprepared practical presentation — if the project includes a practical part (model, exhibition, performance), rehearse and prepare labels for visitors. Aesthetic presentation and clear descriptions are often judged in competitions.
Does the museum accept school groups without a reservation? - It is recommended to register groups in advance through the Information and Reservation Centre. With a reservation you can be sure the group will be accepted for the chosen activity.
How much time is needed to visit the Cloth Hall with a class? - A short guided tour and museum game take about 60–90 minutes; if you plan workshops and arts activities, allow 2–3 hours.
Can you take photos in the gallery? - Photography rules vary by exhibition; check the museum’s regulations and ask for permission for educational photography if needed.
Originality of the idea and the way the topic is presented (multimedia, model, staging).
Scholarly accuracy — factual correctness, use of museum and visual sources.
Presentation and aesthetics — is the work clear, labeled and supported with helpful materials?
Team contribution and argumentation skills — presentation in class or at a contest and ability to answer questions.
The Cloth Hall is an inspiring topic that links knowledge with practice. Whether you build an art model, write a historical essay or design an app — the keys are a clear idea, good sources and solid organisation.
Use the National Museum in Kraków’s educational offer and book visits in advance. If you want a more comfortable and content-rich visit tailored to a competition or interdisciplinary project, you can arrange for additional support.
If this article was helpful, share it with teachers and friends on social media to make it easier to exchange ideas and inspiration.
If you are planning a school trip or want to prepare a competition project related to the Cloth Hall, contact Małgorzata Kasprowicz — a guide collaborating with zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Małgorzata can help plan routes in Kraków and its museums, prepare an educational programme adapted to students’ ages and handle logistics: ticket reservations, transport, accommodation and group menus. This support makes the trip smooth, educational and enjoyable for students and supervisors.
Good luck with your projects — may the Cloth Hall become the starting point for a fascinating journey through history, art and craft! We are happy to help you plan and carry out your ideas.
