Did you know that today's Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), now one of Kraków’s best‑known symbols, owes its present “Renaissance” appearance to a mid‑16th‑century fire? Originally it began as simple market stalls already in the 13th century, and the stone Gothic hall built in the 14th century survived until the disastrous fire of 1555. That event changed the building’s course — and started a reconstruction that gave the Cloth Hall the look we recognize today.
For centuries the Cloth Hall was a trading hub, a gathering place for merchants from across Europe and one of the city’s main sources of income. After the fire the city and royal patrons decided that the rebuilding should be both swift and up‑to‑date — in line with contemporary architectural trends, namely the Renaissance.
The transformation from a Gothic market hall into a building crowned with a decorative attic, loggias and an added upper floor shows the influence of Italian Renaissance art on Kraków — something you can clearly see when strolling the Main Market Square.
Reconstruction of the Cloth Hall began almost immediately after the disaster — roughly in the years 1556–1559. Architects and craftsmen of various backgrounds worked on the project, including Italian masters whose style strongly shaped the final appearance. Their work added an upper storey and an ornate attic that quickly became the building’s signature.
Italian artists active in Poland at the time contributed to the Renaissance rebuilding. Among the visible changes were loggias added to the shorter sides of the building and the raising of the upper floor above the main hall, which created extra trading space once called the smatruz.
Funds for the reconstruction came from municipal and royal revenues — in that era trade and privileges such as the right to sell salt were important sources of money for both the city and the royal treasury, allowing the work to be financed.
The most recognizable feature introduced during the reconstruction is the Renaissance attic — a decorative wall crowning the roof. The attic not only embellished the building but also had practical functions, like partially protecting the roof from fire spread.
The attic was adorned with fanciful mascaron heads and grotesques, carved following designs by Italian sculptors. These distinctive “faces” along the attic’s crest are among the first details curious visitors photograph today.
Loggias (open galleries) added on the north and south sides recall elements of Wawel’s courtyards. Thanks to them the short ends of the building became representative entrances leading to the stairs up to the higher floor. This solution gave the structure a sense of lightness and rhythm typical of Renaissance compositions.
Several masters — local and Italian — took part in the rebuilding. Among the names associated with the works are those responsible for the carved attic details and for designing the loggias and the stairs leading upstairs. The efforts of these creators combined to produce a coherent, modern (for the time) form.
Although the Cloth Hall was the result of many hands, it was the use of Italian mannerist and Renaissance forms that made it a clear example of Italian architectural influence in Poland. The blend of local tradition and imported aesthetics produced a building quickly recognized as one of Kraków’s Renaissance gems.
It’s worth remembering that over subsequent centuries further conservation works and rebuildings added new contexts and decorative elements, so what we see today is the result of several hundred years of changes.
For the following centuries the Cloth Hall continued to serve a commercial function, though its technical and aesthetic condition gradually declined. Makeshift stalls and vendor booths began to appear around the building, hiding its original Renaissance forms and dimming its former splendor.
In the second half of the 19th century a decision was made to carry out a major restoration to bring back the Cloth Hall’s representative character. Renovation works were carried out in the 1870s. Among the changes of that period were the creation of arcade colonnades on the ground floor, the alteration of some decorative details and the adaptation of the upper floor for exhibition purposes. Thanks to this work the building regained much of its dignity and became a cultural and commercial meeting place similar to the one we know today.
An art gallery was established upstairs (the Gallery of 19th‑Century Polish Art), run by the National Museum in Kraków. It was decisions from the late 19th century that set the Cloth Hall on the dual path of being both a museum space and an active market.
The ground floor of the Cloth Hall still hosts traditional stalls selling jewellery, handicrafts and souvenirs. If you want authentic handmade goods, talk to the artisans and ask about materials — that’s the best way to avoid cheap mass‑produced items.
The upper floor houses the Gallery of 19th‑Century Polish Art, a branch of the National Museum. It’s a great opportunity to combine a walk around the Market Square with a museum visit and to see works by artists of the period, which often surprise visitors with their scale and atmosphere.
Best times to visit: early morning or late afternoon outside the high season are the moments when crowds are smaller and it’s easier to photograph the architecture. During peak season the Market can be very busy — plan ahead or combine your visit with other nearby attractions.
Don’t start shopping for souvenirs at the first stall you see — compare offers at several booths. Quality and price can vary a lot.
Many people assume the Cloth Hall today looks exactly as it did after the Renaissance rebuilding — that’s an oversimplification. Many visible features date from the 19th‑century restoration and later conservation work. Take time to study the details and remember the building’s multi‑layered history.
If you plan to visit the upstairs gallery, check current ticketing information and temporary exhibitions before your visit. The National Museum runs the permanent display, but exhibitions, restorations and temporary closures can affect access to particular rooms.
If you want to feel the atmosphere of royal Kraków over a cup of coffee, Café Noworolski (located inside the Cloth Hall complex) is a historic spot with a tradition dating back to the early 20th century — a pleasant short stop.
For more formal lunches or dinners consider Restaurant Wierzynek — a place with a long tradition and interiors full of history, located right by the Main Market Square. Both venues are popular, so in high season it’s a good idea to reserve a table in advance.
For cosy cafés and local flavour, choose places with good reviews and a local character — avoid spots that are essentially international fast‑food chains immediately on the square if you’re looking for a more authentic experience.
The name “Sukiennice” comes from trade in cloth — for centuries this was the city’s textile trading centre before it became a symbol of Kraków and a tourist focal point.
The upper floor, once called the smatruz, owes its name to the noise and bustle of the merchants. The word has roots in German and evokes the crowded, lively atmosphere of the old trading centre.
The attic we admire today, besides being decorative, served practical purposes — among other things it helped limit the spread of fire from the roof and upper storeys.
Is visiting the Cloth Hall free? - The ground floor market is generally open and free to enter. For access to museum exhibitions upstairs you usually need to buy a ticket. Check the National Museum’s current information on opening hours and prices before your visit.
Are guided tours available at the Cloth Hall? - The museum and selected exhibitions have official guides employed by cultural institutions; it’s worth joining a museum guide tour if you want to learn historical details and artistic context.
Can I take photos inside? - Photographing in the market area is normally fine. For museum exhibitions there may be restrictions on photography — always check the rules in force at the National Museum branch.
The Cloth Hall is a place where the history of commerce and Renaissance form meet the life of contemporary Kraków. If you plan a walk around the Main Market Square, take a moment to go not only under the arcades but also upstairs — there are often real artistic surprises there.
If you found this text helpful, feel free to share it with friends or on social media. If you’d like to explore the Cloth Hall and the surrounding area with someone who knows the history well, consider booking a private tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details are available on the guide’s page. Enjoy your journey through old and new Kraków!
