The Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) stands proudly in the middle of Kraków’s Main Market Square and is one of those buildings you can recognize even from a few simple lines! This guide will show you how to draw the Sukiennice’s distinctive shape in a few easy steps so the drawing looks nice and a child won’t get discouraged quickly. Start with the most important thing: you don’t need to be an artist to make a great drawing — basic shapes, patience and a little fun are enough.
This guide is written so a parent, teacher or guardian can use it — you’ll find a list of materials, step-by-step instructions, simplified versions for the youngest children and ideas for coloring and adding a background (for example the Market, St. Mary’s Tower, market stalls). If you like, print this text before your walk on the Market and then draw from memory or from a photo with the kids.
Goal: draw a recognizable, simplified Sukiennice while practicing lines, proportions and imagination. Time: 20–60 minutes, depending on age and level of detail.
Paper (A4 or larger), pencils (HB for sketching, 2B for darker lines), an eraser, a fineliner or marker for outlines, colored pencils, felt-tip pens or paints for coloring.
Optional: a ruler (if you want straight lines or simple perspective), a compass or circle templates for round details, a copier or tracing paper to trace basic shapes (useful for younger children).
It’s also good to have a photo of the Sukiennice or a short note with a fun fact — children like to know the story behind the place they draw.
Start with a large horizontal rectangle in the middle of the page — this will be the main body of the Sukiennice. Above the rectangle draw a straight roofline and a wavy attica (a decorative top edge).
On the front of the rectangle add a row of large semicircular arches — these are the arcades, the passages beneath the roof. They don’t have to be perfect — 4–6 friendly, even arches are enough. At the rectangle’s corners draw small square towers or circles as simplified corner turrets.
Add a few small rectangles under the arches to suggest stalls and hatch-marked rectangles as goods. Erase extra pencil lines, trace the drawing with a marker and then color it. The simple drawing is ready!
Lightly sketch a long horizontal rectangle roughly in the middle of the page. This will be the Sukiennice’s body. Leave some space above the rectangle for the attica (the decorative wall above the roof).
Under the rectangle, along its full length, sketch a line indicating the pavement or the Market edge — this helps keep proportions and prevents the drawing from 'floating'.
If you want to use perspective (a harder version), pick a vanishing point on the horizon line and draw the sides of the rectangle slightly angled so they appear to recede. For kids you can skip perspective and keep a simple frontal composition.
On the front face of the rectangle draw a series of even arches — these are the arcades (the passages between pillars). Start by marking equal segments and draw a semicircle in each segment. In a simpler version the arcades can be rectangular with rounded corners.
Above the roof sketch the attica: a wavy decorative band with small 'teeth' or rounded ornaments (the real Sukiennice have mascaron decorations). You don’t need to copy every detail — the important thing is a wavy outline that gives the building a recognizable look.
At the ends of the attica add small towers — simple cones or domes. That will give the drawing a historic character.
Between the arcades add small rectangles or grids — these are shop windows and stalls. You can draw a few hanging items, for example bags, scarves or jewelry, to show this is a market hall.
If you want to show the gallery on the upper floor, lightly sketch smaller windows above the attica or openings for loggias. It’s also nice to add a few people by the stalls — this livens the scene and shows the building’s scale. When drawing people, use simple shapes: a circle for the head and lines for the body and legs.
Don’t overdo the details on your first drawing — it’s better to add a few distinctive elements than to fill the page with many tiny unreadable dots.
If you want the drawing to look more realistic, add a simple shadow under the arcades and beneath the roof. Shadows are drawn with short hatch marks or shading on the inner sides of the arches. Notice where the light is coming from — that will set the direction of shadows across the whole drawing.
Background: draw St. Mary’s Church tower to one side and the silhouettes of other Market buildings nearby, or a few townhouses in the distance. You can also add a stall selling obwarzanki (traditional Kraków bagels) — this adds local flavor. For younger children leave the background blank or draw easy elements like clouds, the sun and pigeons.
A small tip: when drawing from memory after a walk, children often remember only a few elements — encourage them to start with what they remember most (for example arcades, attica, people) and then add the rest.
Once the sketch is finished and you’re happy with it, go over the lines with a fineliner or marker. Wait a moment for the ink to dry, then gently erase the pencil. This makes the drawing clear and ready for coloring.
Coloring: the Sukiennice have light facades and darker recessed arcades. Use yellows, beiges and light browns for the façade and darker browns and greys in the arcades. For children, coloring is often the best part — encourage bold colors and patterns on the stalls.
Alternative: instead of colored pencils try watercolors or pastels — they create interesting blends and softness.
Block method: first draw rectangles and squares, then turn them into windows and arches. Kids like a simple 'building block' approach that helps with proportions.
Templates: draw or print a few arch and rectangle templates — the youngest can trace them and glue them on the page as overlays.
Stickers and stamps: instead of drawing every detail, show children how to use stickers as goods on the stalls — this speeds up play and gives a fun effect.
The Sukiennice stand in the middle of one of the largest medieval market squares in Europe and for centuries were the city’s trade center. It’s a great way to combine a small history lesson with an art activity.
On the upper floor of the Sukiennice is the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art — the former seat of the National Museum in Kraków; the building’s present look owes much to a 19th-century renovation.
A kid-friendly anecdote: in the past merchants sold spices, silks and salt here — today you can find souvenirs, handicrafts and jewelry.
Do you need talent to draw the Sukiennice? No. The most important thing is to practice basic shapes and not be afraid to make corrections. Even a simple drawing can be very beautiful.
How long does it take? A simple sketch with coloring takes 20–40 minutes. More finished works with perspective and details can take an hour or more.
Can you draw on location in the Market? Yes — it’s a great idea. Children often enjoy drawing 'on site'. Bring a drawing board, a few sheets of paper and pencils. Remember to keep an eye on your belongings and stay safe.
Adding too many tiny details at the start — instead begin with large shapes and add details gradually.
Wrong proportions between the attica and the arcades — draw horizontal guide lines first to keep heights correct.
Drawing overly dark outlines before erasing pencil marks — sketch lightly with pencil first, then ink with a fineliner and only after that erase.
Make a mini-exhibition of children’s Sukiennice drawings on a wall or in class — ask viewers to stick a small 'rating note' (for example a smiling face).
Combine the drawing with a short history lesson: tell children what was traded in the Sukiennice in the past and what is sold there today. Prepare simple tasks: count how many arcades were drawn, which colors dominate, or draw a stall selling the sweetest food.
Turn the drawing into a postcard: after the colors dry, fold or trim it into a card and send it to family or friends.
If you’re in Kraków with children, a walk through the Market and drawing the Sukiennice is a great 1–2 hour plan. Nearby there are many well-regarded places for a snack, such as the historic Wierzynek restaurant and cozy cafés around the Market.
The Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art in the Sukiennice has official guides and curators who can talk about the collections — this is a nice option to deepen the visit if children are older and interested in paintings.
If you plan to draw outdoors, bring a small table or drawing board, extra pencils and a waterproof cover for your work in case of rain.
I hope this guide helped and that drawing the Sukiennice will become a pleasant memory from Kraków. Share your work on social media and tag friends — we’d love to see your versions!
If you’re looking for a guided Kraków experience, consider booking a private guide with experience, such as Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact and details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. This is a great option if you want to combine outdoor drawing with a short, engaging story about the city.
Good luck and have fun drawing the Sukiennice!
