Kościuszko Mound is not just a viewpoint — it is a living monument of history, created on the hill of St. Bronisława as a tribute to Tadeusz Kościuszko. Construction began in 1820 and was completed in 1823, with citizens and visitors from many backgrounds taking part in the works.
From the summit there is a broad panorama of Krakow. The mound is about 34 metres high and inside it soil from the battlefields of the insurrection (including Racławice, Maciejowice and Dubienka) was placed — this adds symbolic meaning to the site. The mound is also one of the city's characteristic landscape features, popular with both tourists and locals.
For those looking for a quieter green spot with a beautiful view of the Old Town and the Vistula, Kościuszko Mound is an excellent choice — especially when a guide leads you who combines knowledge with anecdotes and local flair.
Małgorzata Kasprowicz is a licensed Krakow guide with solid experience and hundreds of conducted tours. She tells stories with passion, weaves in curiosities and engages the group with questions and anecdotes — she works very well with children, school groups and corporate participants.
The Kościuszko Mound walk led by Małgorzata may include: a short history of the mound and its symbolism; stories about St. Bronisława hill; the history of the Austrian fortifications around the mound; and local anecdotes that bring the route to life. For corporate groups she prepares a programme tailored to the meeting's goals — integration, historical themes or an outdoor route with team-building elements.
For larger groups there is the possibility of using headset audio-guide sets, which increases comfort during busy moments.
The mound is located by Waszyngtona Avenue and is easy to reach — by public transport or on foot from Salwator along avenues lined with old chestnut trees. Keep in mind that Kościuszko Mound is sometimes the only Krakow mound where entry requires a ticket and where the visit includes exhibition spaces at the site.
On site there are exhibition interiors and a viewing platform — visiting these parts and access to the mound are subject to a fee during specified seasonal hours. Before your planned visit, check current opening hours and ticket prices, as they change seasonally.
If you plan to travel by MPK (public transport), check tram and bus timetables to the Salwator loop or the area around Waszyngtona Avenue — this will help you avoid unnecessary walking over hilly terrain.
- Start: meet near the Salwator loop or an agreed meeting point. Brief introduction, presentation of the topic and route.
- Ascent to the Mound: walk the avenues, hear stories about the mound's history, fortifications and symbolism; short visit to the exhibition rooms.
- Break: café/park near Salwator — a moment to rest with local snacks.
- Return walk: Vistula boulevards or a longer walk toward Błonia (possibility to extend the programme with additional attractions).
This plan is flexible and easy to adapt to the group's needs — pace, length of breaks and emphasis on chosen themes (historical, natural, photographic) are agreed before the tour.
- Comfortable shoes — the approach to the mound and the paths around it are hilly.
- Drinks and a small snack — especially on warmer days, although there are places nearby to stop.
- Phone with a charged battery and a camera — the panoramas from the top are great for photos.
- Clothing appropriate for the weather — it can be windy at the summit, even on warm days.
- For people with limited mobility: it is worth consulting the route with the guide in advance — not all parts of the trail are suitable for strollers or people who have difficulty walking.
Is Kościuszko Mound suitable for children? - Yes. The route can be interesting for children when stories are told in a lively, interactive way — Małgorzata often prepares versions with legends and tasks for the youngest.
How long does a standard visit last? - A typical tour to the mound and back with a short talk and a break usually lasts 1.5–2 hours, but the programme can be lengthened or shortened according to the group's needs.
Do I need to book in advance? - For organised groups (schools, companies, large groups) it is definitely worth booking in advance — this allows the programme to be fine-tuned and ensures availability of dates and any equipment (e.g., headset sets).
Are reduced-price tickets available? - Yes, reduced tickets are usually available; confirm exact rules and prices before your visit, as they may vary depending on the season and exhibitions.
The best way to book is to contact Małgorzata directly — discuss the purpose of the tour, preferred date, number of participants and any special requirements (school groups, corporate integration, tour language). Małgorzata leads tours in Polish and English and offers themed programmes tailored to different groups.
When booking, it helps to provide: the date and approximate meeting time, the size of the group, information about children or people with mobility limitations, and whether you would like to combine the visit with other attractions. This allows the guide to prepare the perfect programme for you.
If you have additional questions or want to plan a tour in a specific style (historical, photographic, corporate), I will gladly help prepare a proposed route and an estimated cost — write and I will prepare a suggestion.
