Did you know that the long arcaded silhouette everyone recognizes around the Main Market Square has roots going back to the 13th century? The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) began as a specially designated place to trade cloth after the town was founded in 1257, and since then it has held a central place in Kraków’s economic and social life. Over the centuries its shape and uses changed many times — from a Gothic trading hall to a Renaissance rebuild after a fire, and a major 19th-century renovation that gave it the look we see today. It’s more than souvenir stalls — it’s a piece of the city’s living history.
The Cloth Hall is also part of the Old Town UNESCO ensemble, and since the 19th century its upper floor has housed the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art, a branch of the National Museum. On the ground floor traditional trade continues in modern form: stalls with handicrafts, jewelry and souvenirs. This mix of museum and marketplace is what makes the Sukiennice uniquely Kraków.
If you want to impress your friends — tell them that under the arcades there is still partially historic gas lighting and that an iron knife hangs in the passage tied to a local legend — little details many tourists miss.
Trade in this location is recorded as early as the town’s founding document from 1257, when a market space for cloth was set aside under the town law. In the 14th century a stone, roofed trading hall was erected and was repeatedly rebuilt and expanded in later centuries.
In 1555 the Cloth Hall burned down; it was rebuilt in Renaissance style between 1556 and 1559, gaining the decorative attic and a lighter appearance. Italian and Polish masters of the Renaissance worked on the reconstruction.
At the turn of the 19th century, between 1875 and 1879, a thorough reconstruction was carried out under architect Tomasz Pryliński. Arcaded walkways were added and the upper space was converted into an art gallery — the start of the Sukiennice’s museum function that continues today.
The ground floor houses several dozen stalls selling souvenirs, crafts and jewelry — a continuation of the building’s trading role, although in a different form than in the Middle Ages. The stalls form roughly two lines running along the building’s axis.
On the first floor is the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art, a branch of the National Museum. It holds one of the most important collections of Polish 19th-century painting and sculpture — the exhibition halls in a historic interior leave a strong impression. Allow time to visit it so your trip doesn’t end with only souvenir shopping downstairs.
Also worth noticing is the Art Nouveau interior of the Noworolski Café with polychromes by Józef Mehoffer and Henryk Uziembło, which evokes Kraków’s old café culture. Under the arcades you can still see partially preserved historic gas lighting, a rare sight in such a busy city spot.
In the passage across the Cloth Hall an iron knife hangs on a chain — a remnant of Magdeburg law. The knife is said to remind visitors of harsh medieval penalties, and a legend has grown up around it about two brothers who built the towers of St. Mary’s Church — a story guides often recount.
The attic of the Cloth Hall is decorated with many mascarons and grotesque faces. Some of them were created as caricatures of well-known 19th-century personalities — a playful reminder that building ornament could also be a commentary on city life at the time.
Beneath the Market, right next to the Cloth Hall, is the modern archaeological museum 'Rynek Underground' (Podziemia Rynku) — if you want to understand how this area looked in the Middle Ages, it’s worth visiting the exhibition before or after your walk around the Sukiennice.
The name 'Sukiennice' comes from 'sukno' (cloth) — the hall originally existed to sell and control cloth, which was an important and regulated commodity.
Although today it looks like a single unified building, for centuries the Cloth Hall consisted of rows of stalls and varied small structures — the 19th-century renovation restored an elegant, Renaissance-style appearance.
The Cloth Hall Celebration is held annually to commemorate the 1875 decision that began the 19th-century renovation. On that day there are usually free guided tours and events.
Part of the lighting under the arcades is still historic gas lighting — a rare surviving example of an operating historic lighting system in a busy urban location.
In the 19th century the attic decorations (mascarons) sometimes referenced local satire and were even caricatures of town personalities, not just pure ornament.
The upstairs gallery (Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art) is usually closed on Mondays; opening hours commonly fall in the mid-morning to late-afternoon range (for example around 10:00–18:00), but hours vary by season and special events. Check current opening times before you plan your visit.
The ground-floor passage with stalls is accessible most of the day, but individual stall hours depend on the season and the sellers. Evening walks around the Main Square are beautiful, but not all shops will be open then.
If you plan to see the gallery, allow enough time and consider buying a ticket in advance to avoid queues in high season. The museum runs official guided tours and educational programs led by museum guides.
Limiting the visit to the ground floor. Many visitors take photos under the arcades and move on, not realizing that upstairs there is a permanent collection with high cultural value. Reserve time for both levels.
Not checking museum hours. Galleries are often closed on Mondays — if you come only to see the exhibition, you may be disappointed.
Buying the first souvenir you see without comparing. In season many sellers around the Market offer similar products; take a moment to check quality and compare prices.
Ignoring small architectural details. Elements like the iron knife in the passage or the mascarons on the attic are easy to miss — and they often tell the best stories about the place.
If you want to feel the atmosphere of an old Kraków café, visit the cafés around the Cloth Hall — in particular the historic Noworolski Café inside the Sukiennice with its Art Nouveau décor. It’s a perfect spot for a break between the ground floor and the gallery.
Near the Main Market Square you’ll also find long-established restaurants such as Wierzynek and many other places serving local cuisine. If you want something less touristy, ask a local or explore the side streets — there are often atmospheric cafes and bistros tucked away nearby.
If you plan dinner after sightseeing, remember to reserve a table in peak season — the best places fill up quickly, especially on weekend evenings.
Is entry to the Cloth Hall free? The ground floor passage with stalls is freely accessible. Entrance to the National Museum exhibitions upstairs usually requires a ticket — prices and discounts depend on the museum’s current offer.
Can I take photos? You can freely photograph on the ground floor; in the museum there are rules set by the exhibition — usually photography without flash is allowed. Always check the rules at the entrance.
Are there guides? The museum and official events are led by museum guides and staff. If you prefer a private, personalized tour, you can contact guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — information and offers are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
Come in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the biggest crowds in the city center and to enjoy the architectural details at a more relaxed pace.
Combine the Cloth Hall with visits to the Rynek Underground (Podziemia Rynku) and St. Mary’s Church — in a short walk you get three different perspectives on the city’s history: archaeology, trade and sacred architecture.
If you want a more personal and in-depth visit, book an official museum guide or arrange a private tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — it’s a great way to learn stories and anecdotes that aren’t always in guidebooks.
If you found this article helpful, share it with friends or on social media — someone you know may be planning a trip to Kraków and will appreciate these tips.
If you’d like to explore the Cloth Hall with someone who can tell you about details, legends and the artistic context of the exhibitions, contact private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Information and booking are on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Have a great trip and enjoy discovering Kraków!
