St. Adalbert’s Church (Kościół św. Wojciecha) on the Main Market Square is an ideal spot for a short, interesting visit with preschoolers: it’s small, easy to manage as a group and has “lots of history in a small box” — Romanesque wall fragments, a Baroque interior and an underground display that works like a little “time machine.” For children it’s a great chance to spark the imagination, see how the city changed over time and — with a bit of play — learn about St. Adalbert through a simple story.
Important: some parts of the exhibition are underground and require going down stairs, so when planning the visit take strollers and limited mobility into account (access to the underground is usually not possible with strollers or wheelchairs). If you have a larger group, consider splitting into smaller teams.
0–5 min: short welcome on the Square and introduction - just before entering the church tell the children we are going into “the oldest corner of the Square” and that you will show only a few of the most interesting things.
5–15 min: outside and inside glance - show the children the Romanesque windows and portal; tell a very short, simple legend about St. Adalbert: who he was and why this place matters.
15–35 min: the underground / archaeological reserve (if open and accessible) - let children “travel back in time”: a short illustrated story about the wooden church and the later stone building, show the reconstructed floors and burial spots (this is an educational moment — prepare simple questions like: “What did our ancestors have under their feet?”).
35–45 (or up to 60) min: play and snack - finish the visit with a short activity: draw the place, a “find-the-pebble” hunt (without taking any artifacts) or the task “find something older than your parents”. Then a short break for tea/cake at a nearby café.
Tip: keep things short — preschoolers respond best to short stops and simple sensory experiences (touching reconstructions, viewing Romanesque windows up close, feeling the difference between stone and wood).
Romanesque wall fragments and the portal - say these are pieces of a very, very old prayer house; point out that today they sit almost two metres below the level of the Square.
Baroque interior and the altar - ask: “Who do these little statues remind you of?” and briefly explain that the church was remodeled over hundreds of years.
15th-century crucifix and the painting of St. Adalbert - call them “old pictures and sculptures” that have lasted for centuries; invite the children to notice the expressions on the faces.
The underground / archaeological reserve - it’s like a “time chest”: they will see fragments of floors, traces of wooden floors and places of former burials. It’s a great moment to tell how the Market changed over the centuries.
Getting there and meeting point: the church stands in the south‑eastern corner of the Main Market Square (near Grodzka Street) — it’s easy to reach on foot from most parts of the Old Town.
Opening times and underground access: the underground displays are sometimes open seasonally; check in advance whether the exhibition is available (during winter the exhibition may be closed).
Accessibility: entrance to the underground includes historic, steep steps and a threshold — it’s not a typical route for strollers or people with limited mobility. The church interior is small, so groups with strollers should plan where to park them before entering.
Toilets and changing facilities: public toilets and baby-changing points are near the Square; plan a short break before the visit to avoid surprises.
Safety: keep the children close when approaching the underground and stairs; remind them of the rules “do not touch exhibits without permission” and “be quiet, but not completely silent.”
Tickets: access to the underground may be paid or require reservations; for larger groups it’s worth contacting the staff or the Archaeological Museum in advance.
Short picture quiz: prepare a sheet with three pictures (a wooden church, a stone wall, modern paving) — after the visit ask the group to arrange them from “oldest → newest.”
Treasure hunters: small tasks like “find the Romanesque window” or “count three different fabrics in the chapel” — a sticker can be the reward.
Drawing journal: each child draws one thing they remember; the drawings can later be displayed at the kindergarten as a souvenir of the trip.
Little theatre story: a short 3–4 sentence tale about St. Adalbert told with simple props such as a scarf or a wooden toy — this engages attention and leaves an impression.
There are many family-friendly places right around the Square. For a short snack and a cosy atmosphere consider Camelot Cafe — known for sweet pastries and a homely interior; it’s a pleasant spot for tea and cake after the visit. The Market area also offers numerous cafés and restaurants with child-friendly menus.
If you plan a longer rest, choose a place with space where children can sit comfortably and where simple snacks are available (sandwiches, pancakes, juices). Before going in, ask about high chairs and a children’s menu.
Trying to see too much — preschoolers lose focus quickly; it’s better to plan 30–45 minutes than try to see everything.
Arriving with strollers without a plan — the underground has stairs; if you intend to go below, leave strollers in a safe spot beforehand.
Entering during a service — check beforehand if there is Mass; during services the interior may be unavailable or require strict silence.
No small rewards after the visit — a spare snack, stickers or a small reward help end the trip on a positive note.
Is the walk suitable for little ones? Yes — if it’s short and interactive. Best: 30–45 minutes with one underground activity.
Do I need to book? For small groups usually no, but larger groups (e.g. several kindergarten groups) should contact the staff or the Archaeological Museum in advance.
Can I go into the underground with a stroller? No — the underground requires stairs; plan an alternative for strollers.
Is the place safe for little children? Yes, if you watch the children near stairs and explain the rules about touching exhibits.
Fragments of the Romanesque walls lie almost 2 metres below the level of the modern paving — a great way to show that the city “grew” over centuries.
Numerous burials were found under the church — archaeologists uncovered remains of several hundred people, which you can explain simply as evidence that this spot was a centre of life and memory for generations.
The interior mixes Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles — a perfect example to show that buildings change over time, just as we grow up.
If this plan helped you, share it with friends or on social media — it will help other parents plan a great day in Kraków.
If you’d like a guided visit tailored to preschoolers, you can book a personalized tour with guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details and contact are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
Good luck with the planning and enjoy your little adventure in the heart of Kraków!
