Collegium Maius is a place that brings together Gothic architecture, university tradition and memorable stories — even if you are just starting your studies in Krakow. This text is a practical guide for Erasmus groups and students who have about 2 hours and want to learn the most important landmarks, anecdotes and photo spots.
If you are here for a short time, care about the comfort of your group and want a dynamic tour tailored to a young audience and full of curiosities — this plan is for you. I will tell you what is worth seeing in Collegium Maius, how to divide your time, which questions to ask and how to prepare before you go out.
I have been leading tours in Krakow as a licensed guide since 2012 and I am happy to guide your group as well. The 2-hour guided tour in Polish is designed to include the key points while leaving room for conversation, photos and questions.
In the text you will find a concrete 2-hour plan, a description of architectural highlights, practical tips about tickets and meeting points, and ideas for combining the visit with further student-style exploration of the city.
A brief practical note: for small groups the standard price for a 2-hour guided tour is 350 PLN (current promotions may lower this to 300 PLN), and if you need comfortable audio-guide sets they are available for a small additional fee.
Collegium Maius is the oldest building of the Jagiellonian University and one of the best-preserved examples of medieval academic architecture in Poland. Just entering the courtyard makes an impression — arcades, Gothic oriels and stone details create a unique atmosphere.
For students and Erasmus visitors it is an excellent starting point because it shows where Krakow’s university life comes from and how important scholarship has been here for centuries. Here you will feel the path walked by lecturers and students since the 14th century — and hear stories that are easy to remember and pass on.
A visit to Collegium Maius combines architecture — looking at the details of walls, oriels and arcades — with stories about the people who built the academy: professors, students and famous figures connected with the university.
For student groups it is worth pointing out elements that link the past with the present — for example academic traditions, tales about students from centuries ago, and spots that make the best Instagram or university-profile photos.
A visit to Collegium Maius works very well as an introduction before a walk to the Main Market Square or deeper exploration of Krakow’s academic quarter.
0-10 minutes - Meeting and introduction: meet conveniently at the main gate of Collegium Maius. Short presentation of the plan, warm-up questions and a quick check who has tickets and who needs help buying them.
10-30 minutes - Courtyard and arcades: start with stories about the courtyard’s architecture, the Gothic oriel and the so-called “wild wall.” This is a great time for first photos and a short exercise in recognizing architectural styles — all explained simply and playfully.
30-60 minutes - Collegium Maius Museum: visit the museum rooms with exhibits — scientific instruments, manuscripts and objects connected to the university’s greatest scholars. Pay attention to items that show how study and scholarly work looked centuries ago.
60-85 minutes - Lecture rooms and student stories: I show replicas of old lecture halls and tell anecdotes about student life, past and present — including famous stories about early female students or amusing academic traditions.
85-100 minutes - Short walk around the academic quarter: step outside to see Collegium Novum and nearby parts of the neighbourhood that complete the picture of the university. This is also a good moment to recommend places to eat or get a drink after the tour.
100-120 minutes - Summary, questions and suggested next steps: time for questions, tips for further sightseeing and a short recap of the most interesting facts. If you like, I’ll give small tasks — quizzes or ideas for independent exploration of Krakow’s history.
The courtyard with arcades — the heart of Collegium Maius. The stone arcades set the scene where it is easy to imagine student life from centuries ago. It is also the best place for a group photo.
The Gothic oriel and parts of the so-called “wild wall” — elements that show how the building’s fabric changed over the centuries. Notice the wall details and differences in materials used.
Museum rooms with scientific instruments — from astronomical devices to examples of early medicine. This is a rich collection of small objects that illustrate the university’s scientific achievements.
Lecture halls and anecdotes — places hiding stories about students, exams and amusing academic traditions. Students especially enjoy anecdotes about initiation rituals, costumes and jokes that once formed part of university life.
Small details that say a lot — dates carved in stone, the university crest, inscriptions. These elements help tell the history of the place in a concise and vivid way.
Duration: the planned 2 hours provide a good balance between visiting interiors and a short walk around the nearby area. If you have more time, the route can be extended to the Main Market Square or Kazimierz.
Tickets and reservations: I recommend getting tickets in advance, especially in the high season. Student discounts often apply — remember to bring your student ID. For the comfort of larger groups I also offer audio-guide sets for a small fee.
Approximate pricing — guided tour offer: the standard price for a 2-hour guided visit in Polish is 350 PLN; sometimes a promotion lowers this to 300 PLN. Audio-guide sets are available for about 8 PLN per person.
Meeting point and transport: the most convenient meeting place is at the main entrance to Collegium Maius or at a nearby recognizable landmark. The building is centrally located and easy to reach by tram or on foot from the Main Market Square.
Accessibility: some historic interiors have limited accessibility for people with reduced mobility — let me know in advance and I will prepare a route adapted to your group’s needs.
Ask lots of questions — the best guided tour is a conversation. Ask about everyday student life then and now, amusing customs and what exams looked like centuries ago.
Take a group photo in the courtyard — a classic that always turns out great. Find a spot with good light and note where you’ll go afterwards for a student-style bite to eat.
If you’re on a tight budget — after the tour I can recommend places with good coffee and inexpensive food nearby. Krakow’s academic atmosphere is friendly to budget cafés and milk bars where you can taste local dishes without spending a fortune.
After the visit — quiz or city game: for student groups I often prepare short tasks or quizzes that you can do on your own. It’s a great way to integrate and remember the facts better.
Bring your student ID — with it you can use discounts not only at the museum but also in some nearby venues and on tickets to other attractions.
If you want to book a 2-hour Collegium Maius tour for an Erasmus or student group, write or call — I will gladly adapt the program to your needs. During the conversation we can set: meeting time, group size, language of the tour and possible route extensions.
For larger groups I recommend booking audio-guide sets in advance to improve comfort during busy times. I can also help plan the rest of your day — suggestions for affordable eateries, photo spots and short alternative walking routes.
I am also happy to lead themed tours focused on university history, architecture or student life — if you have special interests, let me know and I will prepare a tailor-made route.
You are welcome to contact me — we will visit Collegium Maius so that you not only see the monuments but also feel the history and remember it for longer.
See you in Krakow!
