Does the St. Mary’s hejnał really break off because the trumpeter was struck by a Tatar arrow? That is the most popular legend connected with the melody you hear on the Main Market Square. No one can confirm it unambiguously from a historical perspective — the story of a trumpeter warning the city of a Tatar invasion has existed for centuries and has become an inseparable part of the hejnał’s identity.
The legend is so powerful that the tune ending abruptly in the middle is taken by many listeners as a symbolic, moving moment. Whether it happened exactly as the tale says or whether it grew into being over time, hearing the hejnał live is a memorable emotional experience for visitors to Kraków.
The hejnał is played from the higher tower of St. Mary’s Basilica and sounds on the hour, every hour — 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is not a recording but a live performance played from the tower’s windows.
The noon performance is the best-known: since 1927 the midday hejnał has been broadcast on Polish Radio Program I, which is why noon gathers the largest crowds. If you want the full Market atmosphere, come at 12:00; if you prefer something quieter and more intimate, listen at another full hour.
For many years the honor of performing the hejnał from the tower has been held by firefighters — in a small chamber roughly 80–82 meters above the square they take turns at the windows facing the four cardinal directions so the melody reaches every side. This tradition links civic watch duties with care for the historic monument.
The sound is also routed to radio via a simple acoustic transmission system, a reminder that while the hejnał has ancient roots it remains part of the city’s modern media life.
There are many stairs to the tower — a detail many visitors forget: climbing to the viewing platform requires fitness and caution because there are a lot of steps (various sources list the number as 239). If you plan to go up to the terrace, wear comfortable shoes.
If you want to hear the hejnał with fewer people and take nice photos, arrive a few minutes before the full hour and find a place near Mariacki Square. Pay attention to the direction the trumpeter faces — the hejnał is played in turn toward the four cardinal points. Don’t stand directly under the tower if you want a broad Market panorama in your picture.
Thinking the hejnał is a recording — many visitors are surprised it’s performed live. Come a bit earlier and you’ll see the trumpeter at the window.
Trying to climb the tower without checking opening times — access can be seasonal or require a ticket. Check the official information before planning your visit to the tower.
Expecting to hear the entire melody to the very end — the abrupt ending is part of the tradition, not a malfunction, so don’t assume something went wrong if the tune stops mid-phrase.
The Market and its surroundings offer many well-liked places — if after the hejnał you fancy coffee and cake, consider local favorites such as Cafe Camelot (atmospheric interior) or Charlotte (noted for bread and breakfasts). There are also many highly rated restaurants around the Market where you can try Polish and regional dishes.
If you’re looking for accommodation, staying inside the Old Town gives the best experience — you can return to the Market in the evening and hear the hejnał again in a quieter setting. Keep in mind that places close to the Market are often pricier, but they provide an unforgettable atmosphere and save travel time.
The hejnał has inspired digital versions and apps that let you “play” the tune yourself — a fun way to keep a Kraków memory at home.
Historically the hejnał had practical functions: it signalled the opening and closing of city gates, warned of fires or approaching danger. Today it serves mainly symbolic and cultural roles.
Is the hejnał free? Yes — listening from the square is free. If you want to climb the tower, a ticket may be required.
Is the melody always the same? Yes — it’s a fixed, recognizable sequence that deliberately stops mid-phrase.
What time is best to come? The Market is busiest at 12:00 because of the radio broadcast; if you prefer fewer people, choose another full hour.
Share this article with friends planning a visit to Kraków — the hejnał is an experience worth hearing in person. If you’d like a guided visit or want your Market walk to be comfortable, interesting and tailored to your interests, consider booking a private guide: Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Contact and details are available on the guide’s page.
