This is not a dry history lesson — it’s a walk through the heart of Kraków with stories, anecdotes and tasks for participants. Over four hours we visit the Main Market with the Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Church, look beneath the surface of the city, and follow traces of Jewish Kraków around Kazimierz and the nearby area.
The tour is designed especially for school groups: pace and language are adapted to students' ages, and stories are delivered as engaging narration — with riddles, short tasks and moments to rest.
The tour is led by licensed guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — a native of Kraków who has been guiding groups around the city for years and knows how to interest both younger and older participants.
Start: Main Market — meeting in the center of the Square or by the Cloth Hall. Short introduction: what the Market was and is, and what medieval urban life looked like.
Cloth Hall — the history of trade: we explain how the market hall worked, what was sold in the Middle Ages, and why the Cloth Hall became one of Kraków’s symbols. We’ll also cover architectural curiosities and legends connected with the place.
St. Mary's Church and the bugle call — history and meaning. We explain where the bugle call comes from, tell the legend of the trumpeter and describe the stained glass and interior (view from outside and — depending on time — a short entry inside).
Rynek Underground (Museum under the Market) — short presentation from outside or entry if the group has tickets: the city's history 'underfoot' — foundations, medieval streets and multimedia displays.
Walk the Royal Route toward Kazimierz — along the way stories about St. Florian's Gate, the Barbican and former customs. Possibility of a break for a second breakfast/meal depending on the plan.
Kazimierz — traces of Jewish Kraków: Szeroka Street, synagogues and the Remuh cemetery — a story of the city’s multicultural past, how Jewish residents lived and worked in Kraków and what traces of their presence remain today.
Finish: short summary, questions and answers, distribution of short worksheets or commemorative tasks for the class.
Main Market: the largest medieval square in Europe. We’ll point out the layout, roles of trade and power, and what fairs looked like and which goods were valuable in former times.
Cloth Hall: a Renaissance market hall with a long history of international trade. I’ll tell the story of the building’s transformations, the stalls and what you can find inside today.
St. Mary's Church and the bugle call: the history of the hejnał, the legend of the trumpeter whose melody was cut short; a brief introduction to sacred art and medieval customs.
Rynek Underground: we explain why city layers reveal the past and how archaeology helps reconstruct everyday life of former inhabitants.
Kazimierz and Jewish traces: Szeroka Street — the central street of Kazimierz, places of prayer and study, synagogues (Old Synagogue, Remuh and others), cemeteries and everyday life of the Jewish community before World War II. An important theme: Kraków’s multicultural past and remembrance.
Methods: short stories, questions for students, mini-quizzes, field tasks (e.g. find an architectural detail, count the stone lions, answer a riddle) — all designed to engage and help remember key facts.
Pace and breaks: the walk includes planned pauses for rest and snacks; if needed the program can be shortened or rearranged to fit the group's age and energy.
Safety and supervision: please ensure each class has assigned chaperones; I will adapt the route to avoid heavily crowded places where possible.
Additional materials: on request I can prepare short worksheets or a list of questions to use before and after the trip — great for follow-up lessons.
Duration: 4 hours (flexible — can be shortened to 3 hours or extended according to needs).
Approximate pricing for school groups: there are special rates for smaller groups (up to ~35 people) and different arrangements for larger groups; a typical price for a 4-hour tour in Polish for a small group is usually in the range of a few hundred złoty, while for large groups billing may be done per person. For an exact quote please contact the organizer.
Extras: I can provide radio headsets on request (helpful for larger groups) and educational materials. Entry to some venues (e.g. Rynek Underground) requires tickets — I can help organize reservations.
Language: main program in Polish; English tours available on request — please let me know in advance if you need English.
Did you know the St. Mary's bugle call reminds us every hour of the medieval city watch and that the melody is linked to the trumpeter legend who saved the city?
The Cloth Hall did not always look as it does today — the building was rebuilt many times and its interiors once hid craftsmen’s workshops and storerooms full of goods from across Europe.
In Kazimierz you will find traces of cultures woven together for centuries — from Jewish residents, through Polish crafts and trade, to 20th-century changes. We talk about memory, respect and the material culture preserved in walls and on old maps.
Clothing: comfortable shoes and layered clothing — Kraków weather can change quickly and the walk includes sunny open spaces and shady streets.
Please arrive 10 minutes before the start — this helps a smooth beginning and a short safety briefing.
Number of chaperones: I recommend at least 1–2 adults per 15–20 students depending on age; adults help keep order and move the group between points efficiently.
Food and drinks: a short snack break halfway through the route — you can bring packed snacks or use nearby cafes/restaurants such as Café Camelot, Wierzynek (historic restaurant on the Market), Mleczarnia in Kazimierz or other local cafés.
Educational materials: I’m happy to prepare a pre-visit list of topics and short worksheets for students.
Q: How far in advance should we book? A: It’s best to contact me several weeks before the planned date, especially during the tourist season; shorter notices may be possible depending on availability.
Q: Are there stairs and is the route accessible for people with limited mobility? A: The route includes cobbled sections and some places with a few steps; it can be modified to be more accessible — please notify me of special needs when booking.
Q: Are museum visits included that require tickets? A: It’s possible to enter some sites (e.g. Rynek Underground), but this depends on availability and pre-purchased tickets. I can assist with reservations and advise on costs.
Q: What if the weather is bad? A: The tour is mostly outdoors; in case of heavy rain we will adapt the program (more stories under cover, shorter outdoor sections) or agree on another date.
Q: How long will the students remember the tour? A: Thanks to field tasks and an engaging narrative, students retain much more than in a standard lesson — participants often return with questions and discoveries after they get back to school.
This route combines Kraków’s most important symbols with a sensitive, educational look at the city’s multicultural past. For classes it’s not only a history lesson, but also an exercise in empathy, observation and critical thinking.
If you want your class to take away more than photos — learning through story and experience — this program is an excellent choice. I will gladly tailor the route to the group’s age, school curriculum and your expectations.
Contact me to hear more about options, ask questions and plan an unforgettable day in Kraków.
