The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) has stood in the very heart of Kraków since the Middle Ages. Although it looks familiar in every photo of the Main Market Square, its true charm is hidden in small, often overlooked details: sculptures, cornices, vaults and the traces left by successive reconstructions. Pause for a moment and look at each fragment — every element has its own story and purpose.
The Cloth Hall we know today took shape mainly after the fire of 1555, when the hall was rebuilt in the spirit of the Renaissance. Later conservation and 19th-century reconstructions added further stylistic and functional layers.
If you’re walking with a camera or guiding a group, below you’ll find 10 details worth mentioning — the order is optional, but each will change the way you look at this building.
1. The mascaron-decorated attic and the roof 'comb' - the most recognisable elements, yet easy to overlook. The attic conceals the roof and is adorned with fanciful mascarons — grotesque heads and faces serving decorative and symbolic-protective roles. Their work is usually attributed to the Italian sculptural school active in Kraków in the 16th century.
2. Loggias and the columned façades on the shorter sides - up close you can see various types of capitals and column proportions that echo Italian influences (Padovan). These are not just decoration — the loggias were part of the circulation and the display spaces of the former trading hall.
3. Risalits above the entrances - small projecting parts of the façade hide rich ornamentation and sometimes less obvious details, like tiny rosettes or stonemasons’ initials. These are places where the 19th-century rebuild added decorative accents visible only on close inspection.
4. Pointed-arch arcades and their stone profiles - the edges of the arches, the corners and the way they catch the light differ from the rest of the façade; they are remnants of the Gothic structure beneath the Renaissance layering.
5. Corner turrets and small openings - from below they’re easy to miss; up close you can see differences in the stone and traces of repairs from successive restorations, as well as old ventilation or technical openings whose functions changed over the centuries.
6. Barrel vaults and details of the floor in the passage - when you step inside, notice the vault decorations, mouldings and the interesting structural solutions that once limited fire and smoke in the trading hall.
7. Guild marks and coats of arms in the lower hall - during the 19th-century reconstruction the lower hall gained decorations with city arms and the seals of craftsmen’s guilds; these are traces of how trade was organised in the past.
8. The iron knife on a chain in the passage - a detail full of legend: an ironic reminder of Magdeburg law and a warning about penalties for thieves. The knife also has a story about two builder-brothers and is a must-have element in any guided tale.
9. Polychromes and details in Noworolski café - the Art Nouveau café with interiors decorated by polychromes from artists such as Józef Mehoffer and Henryk Uziembła is where art meets everyday life. It’s worth going inside and looking up.
10. Traces of earlier constructions in the cellars and underground displays - archaeological layers and fragments of the Gothic hall are visible on the route under the Market; if you’re interested in the city’s 'stratified' history, look beneath the Cloth Hall.
Since 1879 the upper rooms of the Cloth Hall have housed the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art, a branch of the National Museum in Kraków. Here you’ll find large exhibition rooms arranged like 19th-century salons and works by artists such as Jan Matejko, Józef Chełmoński, Henryk Siemiradzki and Jacek Malczewski.
A visit to the upper floor contrasts the lively lower hall (stalls, tourists) with the representative, calmer space of the gallery. It’s a good place to rest and see art after a morning round of the Market.
The upper rooms have been repeatedly renovated and modernised (the Gallery was comprehensively refurbished and reopened in the early 21st century), so the exhibition today combines historic atmosphere with contemporary visitor comforts.
The iron knife hanging in the passage between the Cloth Hall’s longer axes is more than a curiosity — it’s a sign connected to Magdeburg law and a warning about punishments for theft in earlier times. Attached to the knife is the tale of two brothers who built St. Mary’s towers, a story that adds drama and stays in visitors’ memories.
Stories like this work great on family and group walks — they remind us that monuments are not only stone but also human stories.
When is the best time to come? The best light for photographing the façade and attic is in the morning and during the hour before sunset — then the sculptures are beautifully modelled against the sky. If you want to visit the MNK Gallery on the upper floor, check current opening hours; the museum is usually closed on Mondays and often has free admission days for permanent exhibitions on a weekday (check before you visit).
Is there access for people with limited mobility? Some spaces and facilities have been adapted, and on the square you can also find tactile models and Braille descriptions (including a copy of a mascaron near the model) that help blind and visually impaired visitors understand the building’s form.
Tickets and visiting: If you plan to visit the MNK Gallery in the Cloth Hall, buy a ticket online or check group availability — for larger groups it’s worth booking in advance. Remember that the lower hall is a run of small souvenir stalls — if you’re looking for authentic products (e.g. amber, crafts), compare price and quality before buying.
Common visitor mistakes: 1) Only looking at the Cloth Hall from the outside and skipping the upper-floor Gallery; 2) taking photos from only one perspective — walk around the building; 3) assuming that every detail is modern — many are original elements or faithful reconstructions from different eras.
If you want coffee in a historic interior — Noworolski café in the Cloth Hall arcades is a classic; it’s worth seeing the polychromes inside. Close to the Main Market you’ll also find established restaurants such as Wierzynek — a great choice for a special meal. When planning where to eat, follow reviews and choose well-rated places, especially in high season.
After visiting the Cloth Hall consider the underground Market route (if you haven’t visited it yet) or climb St. Mary’s Church tower — from height it’s easier to understand the Cloth Hall’s placement and structural functions.
- The attic is not only decorative — in the past it also served a protective function above the roof, reducing the risk of fire spreading to neighbouring buildings.
- Many elements that appear 'Renaissance' today are thanks to Italian craftsmen and artists brought to Poland in the 16th century.
- The 19th-century reconstruction (project by Tomasz Pryliński) gave the Cloth Hall its present layout of the lower hall and the elegant arcades with stalls that we know today.
- If you look closely at the stone at the base of the pillars, you’ll see traces of renovations and repairs that tell the story of multiple conservation interventions.
Is visiting the Cloth Hall free? The lower part with the stalls is free to enter, while admission to the upper-floor MNK Gallery is paid — there are, however, special days and promotions (for example, some weekdays with free entry to permanent exhibitions); check the museum before your visit.
How much time should I spend at the Cloth Hall? For a quick walk allow 20–30 minutes; if you go upstairs to the gallery plan 1.5–2 hours. If you also want to see the underground Market route or other museums, reserve a full day.
Can I take photos? You can freely photograph in the lower hall; upstairs in the museum there are exhibition rules (sometimes no photography or restrictions on flash), so check the gallery regulations.
If you enjoyed this guide to the Cloth Hall’s details, share it with friends or on social media — one small tip can open someone’s eyes to a whole new dimension of a familiar place.
If you’d like to explore the Cloth Hall and the entire Market with someone who will tell you about details, legends and architectural contexts, consider a private guided tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz. The tour can be tailored to your interests and schedule.
