The Cloth Hall is one of Krakow's most recognizable landmarks, but its appearance has changed several times over the centuries. The first, simplest stone stalls appeared here already after the town received municipal rights in the 13th century. In the 14th century a roofed, masonry trading hall was created, but after a fire in the mid-16th century the building was rebuilt in the Renaissance style and gained the famous attic with grotesque masks. The final shape of the façade and the arcades we see today is the result of conservation works and a late-19th-century reconstruction. For a visitor this means that although the Cloth Hall has medieval origins, it also carries the marks of the Renaissance and the spirit of 19th-century revitalization.
If you are looking for a single "original" medieval appearance, remember that the current look is a sum of many eras — that layering of history is precisely what makes the place fascinating.
MYTH: The Cloth Hall has always been a monumental, unified building - TRUE: At first it functioned as two rows of stone stalls forming a lane across the Market Square. Over time the stalls were enclosed into a single masonry hall, and only after later reconstructions did the form familiar to us today emerge.
MYTH: The name “Sukiennice” (Cloth Hall) means only cloth was traded here - TRUE: The name does come from the trade in cloth (woolen fabrics), which was a major activity here, but the halls also hosted many other goods — spices, leather, wax, and for centuries Krakow was an important exchange point for goods from across Europe and the East.
MYTH: The knife hanging in the passage is merely decoration - TRUE: The iron knife hangs in the so-called Cloth Hall cross and is linked to a legend about the brothers who built St. Mary’s Tower; historically the knife may also have served as a symbol of Magdeburg rights or even as an instrument connected to punishments (for minor offences).
MYTH: The Cloth Hall is just a souvenir market - TRUE: The ground floor does serve today as a craft and souvenir market, but the upper floor has long been an important home for museum collections — the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art — and underground there are interesting archaeological and historical exhibitions.
The most characteristic element is the Renaissance attic with carved grotesque masks that "masks" the roof and gives the building an ornate top finish. The attic, the galleries and some details were created after the mid-16th-century fire, when the building was rebuilt in the new style. The arcade loggias that today invite visitors to elegant stalls and cafés are the result of changes made in the second half of the 19th century. Also notice the covered corridor running through the middle of the Cloth Hall (the so-called cross) — a place where history meets legend (including the hanging knife) and which used to be an important trade route connecting opposite sides of the Market Square.
Look down at the paving in the passage: some commemorative plaques and fragments of the old cobbles recall the town's founding and medieval traces of the layout.
The ground floor traditionally hosts stalls with handicrafts, jewelry, wooden items and souvenirs. It is a good place to buy a memento of Krakow, but choose carefully — better products and fair prices are often found with well-regarded vendors rather than the first stall near the entrance.
The upper floor houses the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art — historically the first permanent seat of the National Museum in Krakow (since the late 19th century). The exhibition shows works of Polish painting and sculpture from the 19th century, including pieces by prominent artists of the period. The underground holds a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow and archaeological displays that reveal the market's historical layers — a walk below ground lets you look at the city "from below" and understand how the built environment changed over the centuries.
If you plan to visit the exhibitions, check current opening hours and entry rules before your visit — during the high season or special exhibitions there can be restrictions or timed-entry tickets.
The Cloth Hall was not only about cloth — in the Middle Ages it was a central hub for the exchange of goods from west and east, and one important export from Krakow was salt from the Wieliczka mines.
In the 19th century the building underwent a major restoration that also had a patriotic character — during the renovation there was a concept that the Cloth Hall should serve not only trade but also culture, which is why in 1879 it gained the first permanent seat of the National Museum.
In one spot of the Cloth Hall you can still see historic plaques and structural elements that testify to the building's multi-period origin — a perfect lesson in "reading" a monument: Gothic, Renaissance and 19th-century modernization all in one place.
It is best to come very early in the morning or late in the afternoon outside the high season if you want to avoid the largest crowds and take nice photos. Weekends and the heart of the season are the busiest times.
Tickets for the gallery upstairs and for the underground are best checked and bought online if possible — you will avoid queues. Don't forget to bring ID if you are entitled to a reduced-price ticket.
If you plan an afternoon coffee on the Cloth Hall terrace or in the historic cafés by the Market, reserve a table in advance at popular places, especially in season. Remember that prices around the Market are usually higher than a few streets away.
If you fancy something traditional and well-reviewed, consider visiting one of the historic restaurants and cafés around the Market — places with long traditions offer both atmosphere and menus geared to visitors looking for local flavors.
A few well-known cafés and restaurants around the Market have long been appreciated for their quality and atmosphere. Always check current reviews before booking and consider reserving a table by phone or online.
Buying the first souvenir at the stall right by the entrance — compare prices and quality at several stalls, and ask for a certificate of authenticity for more expensive jewelry or amber items.
Assuming the Cloth Hall is just a "market" and skipping the upper gallery and the underground — it's worth visiting all three levels because they show different faces of the place: trade, art, and urban archaeology.
Ignoring opening hours of museums and cafés — plan your visit and buy timed tickets in advance if you want to enter at a specific hour.
Is access to the Cloth Hall terraces paid? - Often yes, depending on the policy of the institution that manages the building; check the museum's current rules before your visit.
Are the underground chambers under the Cloth Hall open to visitors? - Yes, the underground displays are a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow and show the old structure of the Market.
Can I take photos in the upper-floor gallery? - In many rooms photography without a tripod is allowed, but special exhibitions may have restrictions; check signs on site.
Allow at least an hour for the Cloth Hall: 20–30 minutes to walk the ground floor and stalls, 30–60 minutes for the gallery upstairs, and if you are interested in archaeology and the Market's history, add another 30–45 minutes for the underground.
If you want to hear interesting details and anecdotes, consider a tour with an official museum guide or a private guide — guided visits often open up historical and architectural context that is not easy to read on your own.
Pay attention to architectural details of the attic and grotesque masks — each sculpture has its own character and it is worth taking a calm look to appreciate the craftsmanship of the Renaissance ornamentation.
Combine your visit to the Cloth Hall with a walk to St. Mary's Basilica, the Town Hall Tower and the Market toward the Adam Mickiewicz Monument. It's also worth visiting several townhouses on the Market's sides that hide interesting architectural details and museum interiors.
If you have more time, visit palaces and museums along the Royal Route — the walk from the Cloth Hall to Wawel gives a great sense of Krakow's historical role as a center of state and culture.
The Cloth Hall is a place that combines trade, culture and legend. For a visitor it's an opportunity to see medieval, Renaissance and 19th-century elements at one point in the city. If you liked this guide, share it with friends or on social media — it will help others better plan their visit to Krakow.
If you would like to explore the Cloth Hall and its surroundings with someone who will tell you about details, anecdotes and historical contexts, I invite you to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact and details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
