The Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) is the heart of the Main Market Square and one of Kraków’s most visited landmarks. On its upper floor lives the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art — a place where you’ll find works by the most important Polish painters and sculptors from the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. Whether you have an hour or a whole day, it’s useful to know which works and rooms will transport you most quickly into the atmosphere of that era. This guide will help you plan your visit, avoid common mistakes and see the true “must-sees” in a comfortable way.
The Sukiennice is a historic building in the middle of the Main Market Square; its first floor has long served exhibition purposes. The Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art blends monumental historical canvases with moving realist paintings and the early signs of symbolism. In a short walk through four main rooms you can trace the transformations of Polish art from the Enlightenment and Romanticism, through academic forms, to Impressionism and Young Poland moods.
The exhibition is arranged thematically and spatially — each room has its own dominant theme and historical name: the Bacciarelli Room (Enlightenment), the Michałowski Room (Romanticism and national themes), the Siemiradzki Room (academic motifs and antiquity), and the Chełmoński Room (realism, Polish Impressionism and the first signs of symbolism). The entrance to the gallery is on the side of St. Mary’s Basilica; moving between rooms follows a logical route and allows a natural walk through successive styles and topics.
If you choose a few essential paintings to see with your own eyes, start with these icons: Jan Matejko — "Wernyhora" (1884) — a monumental, symbolic composition referring to history and myth; Władysław Podkowiński — "Szał uniesień" (Rage of Exultation, 1894) — one of the era’s most emotional works, with a dynamic horse and a woman’s figure; Jacek Malczewski — "Malarczyk" (The Little Painter, 1890) and "Śmierć Ellenai" (The Death of Ellenai, 1883) — paintings full of symbolism and personal tones; Henryk Siemiradzki — "The Torches of Nero" (Pochodnie Nerona, 1876) — an example of academic historical painting; Józef Chełmoński — "Czwórka" (The Four, 1881) — a realistic, expressive depiction of horses and landscape; Aleksander Gierymski — "Girl from Bronowice" and "Peasant from Bronowice" — light-and-detail studies of village life; Maurycy Gottlieb — "Ahasuerus" (Ahasver, 1876) — a moving symbolic portrait; Piotr Michałowski — "Seńko" (1846–1848) — a beautiful study of horses and motion. These works represent different ways of telling stories about identity, history and nature and are a great starting point for your gallery walk.
Podkowiński’s "Szał uniesień" surprises with its dynamism and, for its time, controversial bold depiction of female nudity and animal force. In Matejko’s "Wernyhora" historical motifs are combined with messianic symbolism, making the painting extremely rich in detail and meaning. Chełmoński’s "Czwórka" uses technique and scale to transport the viewer almost onto a country track; the painting has also been the subject of conservation studies and is often shown with additional materials about its restoration. Malczewski skillfully blends realism with metaphor — his "Malarczyk" is both a portrait of the artist and an allegory of creative existence.
Address: Rynek Główny 3 (entrance from the side of St. Mary’s Basilica). Typical opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–18:00, closed on Mondays. Free-entry days: usually Tuesday (check the museum’s current rules just before your visit). When planning, allow time for the cloakroom and short breaks — the gallery has a visitor limit and areas where you can pause.
Tickets can be bought online and at the ticket office — buying online saves time in high season. Organized groups usually need to register in advance through the National Museum’s Information and Reservation Center. If you plan to visit during Museum Night, public holidays or big events in Kraków, book in advance.
The gallery is pedestrian-friendly and largely accessible for visitors with limited mobility — there is an elevator and accessible facilities, but it’s always a good idea to check specific accessibility details before your visit. Coat and backpacks are left in the cloakroom; do not wear backpacks on your back in the exhibition rooms or carry items that might accidentally touch the artworks. Photography without flash is usually allowed in the permanent exhibition spaces, but confirm detailed rules at the ticket desk.
The best times for a quiet visit are early morning right after opening or late afternoon before closing. In the tourist season and on weekends the Main Market Square attracts crowds, which can make galleries busier. If you want silence in front of a particular painting, aim for morning hours and avoid times when guided groups are typically released into the rooms.
After your visit, a great idea is to rest in one of the recommended cafés or restaurants by the Market Square. Wierzynek is a historic and representative restaurant ideal for feeling the atmosphere of old Kraków. Szara (Szara Gęś) offers good cuisine and pleasant interiors, and Cafe Camelot is a cosy spot for coffee and cake. If you prefer something less formal, the side streets around the Square hide small bistros and cafés with great reviews and shorter queues. Reserve a table on weekends — the best places can be hard to find at the last minute.
For a first visit, it’s best to stay in the Old Town, near the Planty or around the Market Square so most attractions are within walking distance. If you value quiet at night, choose side streets off the Planty where hotels and apartments are close to the center but more peaceful. Check reviews for soundproofing — downtown can be lively late into the night.
The Sukiennice has many historical layers — over centuries its floor level was raised several times, so a walk across the Market Square is also a stroll through strata of history. During renovations the gallery’s collections have been temporarily moved — during major conservation works the exhibition can be presented in other museum spaces, which is worth remembering when looking for information on special displays. Some paintings, like famous works by Matejko or Chełmoński, are sometimes shown alongside conservation materials — a great chance to see behind the scenes of caring for large-format masterpieces.
Mistake 1: arriving with a large backpack without a plan — backpacks must be left in the cloakroom and that takes time. Mistake 2: trying to fit too many stops into one day — you’ll tire and not fully appreciate the exhibition; choose 2–3 must-sees instead. Mistake 3: no reservation for weekends or special exhibitions — online tickets save stress. Mistake 4: wearing uncomfortable shoes — the Chełmoński Room and other spacious galleries invite long viewing sessions, so be ready for standing and walking.
Are there discounts for students and seniors? Yes — museums usually offer reduced and free tickets for certain groups; check current rules at the museum. Can you take photographs? Usually photography without flash is allowed, but confirm on arrival. Is the gallery accessible for wheelchairs and people with limited mobility? The gallery has facilities and an elevator, but it’s best to check details and arrange assistance if needed. Is it worth visiting with a guide? If you want deeper historical and artistic context, a tour by an official museum guide greatly enriches the experience — guided thematic tours are available at the Sukiennice.
One hour: focus on the Michałowski and Chełmoński Rooms — see "Wernyhora", "Szał uniesień" and "Czwórka". Two to three hours: add the Siemiradzki and Bacciarelli Rooms, spend time with Malczewski and Gierymski and take a short café break. Full day: visit the National Museum’s Main Building for more 19th- and 20th-century collections; combine the visit with lunch and a relaxing walk around the Planty.
After you leave the gallery, visit the Rynek Underground — an excellent complement if you’re interested in the city’s history and archaeology. Nearby are also St. Mary’s Basilica, Floriańska and Grodzka streets and the entrance to Wawel — all within a short walk. If you want more art, check the exhibitions in the National Museum’s Main Building.
If you found this article helpful, share it with friends or on social media — it will help others better plan their visit to Kraków. If you’d like to tour with someone who knows the city and the collection inside out, consider booking a private guide: Małgorzata Kasprowicz from zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Wishing you a wonderful visit and many discoveries in the Sukiennice rooms!
