If you stand on the Main Market Square and at the full hour you hear a sudden, broken trumpet sound — that’s the hejnał from St. Mary’s Tower. For many visitors it feels like a small wonder: the tune starts and… abruptly stops. According to the most famous tale, the trumpeter warned the city of a Tatar attack, but before he could finish the melody he was struck by an arrow. Since then the hejnał is cut at the same point to honor the guard’s courage.
Today the hejnał is played by the duty trumpeters — historically city guards and now often firefighters who serve in the tower — in all four directions around the clock. The noon performance is also broadcast on the radio, so even if you are not standing directly under the tower you will still hear a fragment. It’s a short, dramatic story that children remember easily.
When telling children, it helps to set the scene: the tower used to be an observation point — a guard looked out for fires and danger. The hejnał was a signal for the town, and its abrupt ending symbolizes one person’s sacrifice to protect many.
Lajkonik is one of Kraków’s most spectacular traditions. He is a rider on a hobby horse in a costume styled after Tatar clothing, accompanied by a noisy procession of craftsmen and performers, and every year he makes his way to the Main Market Square. Legend says that whoever is touched by Lajkonik’s mace will have good luck for a year.
The custom is linked to a story about defending the city from a Tatar raid; the modern procession is a colorful public spectacle, usually held in June in connection with the Corpus Christi celebrations (traditionally during the octave of Corpus Christi). It’s a fantastic occasion to bring children to a living celebration — music, dancing and bright costumes make a strong impression.
If you plan to visit Kraków in summer, check the date of the parade — it’s annual but the exact route and times can vary. Position yourself where the procession heads into the Main Market Square or where performances and dances take place; and remember it’s a very popular attraction, so come early.
The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) was the commercial heart of the medieval Main Market Square. Its name comes from the cloth trade; for centuries it was a hub of exchange where merchants from across Europe met. Today the Cloth Hall houses the Gallery of Polish Art and a lively collection of stalls and cafés.
Under the Cloth Hall hangs an iron knife — an old mark of Magdeburg law, a symbol of the punishment for theft. One city legend connected to it tells the dark tale of two brothers who built St. Mary’s towers: when one brother, jealous of the height of the other’s tower, killed him with an iron knife and then took his own life. It’s a grim story, but it explains old legal customs and attitudes in a medieval town.
Beneath the Cloth Hall is the entrance to the Market Underground — a museum that presents the city’s archaeology and historical layers. It’s a great place for children who love ‘treasures beneath the pavement’ and for adults curious to see how trade and city life looked centuries ago.
The Market Underground is one of the most impressive attractions: multimedia and archaeological displays let you see remains of old streets, workshops and artifacts. For children it’s almost like a treasure hunt — coins, pottery fragments and traces of old buildings ignite imagination right away.
Combine a visit to the underground museum with the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Tower — this way the stories about old trade, the city guards and local customs form a coherent narrative. Check opening hours and visitor rules in advance, because tickets can be limited in high season. Official museum guides and city guides adapt stories to be clear and engaging for children.
Children love short, visual tales. A few ideas to use during a walk: the trumpeter who warned the city from the tower; Lajkonik who brings luck with his mace; the iron knife in the Cloth Hall and its link to old law. Short role-plays and questions like “what would you do if you were the trumpeter?” involve kids and make history playful.
You can also prepare small tasks: find a mascaron (stone face) on the Cloth Hall façade, count the little windows of St. Mary’s Tower, or locate the Adam Mickiewicz monument — these missions fix the stories in children’s minds and give them a sense of purpose.
The hejnał is one of the longest-running cyclic radio broadcasts in the world — its transmission from the top of St. Mary’s Tower has reached listeners since the early 20th century. This is a good point to show children that traditions also live on in modern media.
Although Lajkonik looks ‘Tatar-like’, he is also a protective symbol of the city and a piece of local identity — his roots connect history, folklore and civic custom.
Archaeologists under the Cloth Hall have found traces of trade from centuries ago: pottery fragments, coins and remains of old streets. These finds prove that the Main Market Square has been a lively place for many generations.
Visitors often make simple mistakes that can spoil the experience: most tourists come at midday, which means the biggest crowds and difficulty taking photos or calmly listening to the hejnał. Solution: come early in the morning or in the evening — the Square feels completely different then.
Another mistake is buying food at the first place you find. Restaurants directly on the Square are often pricier; it’s better to check recommendations and choose places with good reviews. Recommended spots near the Cloth Hall include Café Noworolski for a historic interior and cafés offering regional dishes. For accommodation, Hotel Wentzl and Hotel Stary — both facing or very close to the Main Market Square — are comfortable bases for families.
A third mistake is not booking museum tickets during high season. The Cloth Hall, the Market Underground and St. Mary’s Tower can be busy — buy tickets in advance or ask your guide for help with reservations.
If you plan to visit the Cloth Hall terraces, the Market Underground or St. Mary’s Tower, check opening hours and ticket rules — in season it’s best to reserve online or arrive right after opening. Museums often have discounted or free-entry days on selected dates.
Many places around the Square are family-friendly: there are stroller-accessible routes and educational rooms offering workshops for children. Official museum guides and experienced city guides also run special tours for the youngest visitors — ask about family programs.
Keep safety in mind: the Square can be crowded, especially during events (Lajkonik, Christmas markets). Keep children close, agree on a meeting point and watch valuable items — pickpockets tend to operate where crowds gather.
Around the Main Market Square you’ll find family-friendly spots and places that value good cuisine. Café Noworolski inside the Cloth Hall offers a historical interior and is a popular choice. Nearby you’ll also find many restaurants and cafés with high ratings serving regional dishes prepared with care.
For accommodation, well-known options by the Square include Hotel Wentzl (with views over the Market) and Hotel Stary — both are convenient bases for sightseeing and offer family-friendly amenities. When booking, check whether the hotel helps arrange tours or works with a guide — this can simplify planning.
Practical tip: reserve a table for dinner, especially on weekends. Popular places fill up quickly. If you want to try regional cuisine, ask for local recommendations — guides and staff often know spots that combine good quality with reasonable prices.
Is the hejnał played every day? - Yes, the hejnał sounds on the hour, every hour, day and night; the noon performance has a long tradition of radio broadcast.
When is the Lajkonik procession? - Traditionally it takes place each year in June in connection with Corpus Christi (usually during the octave of the feast). Exact date and route change yearly, so check the events calendar before you arrive.
Is it worth going up St. Mary’s Tower? - Yes, especially if you want a panorama of the Market and to hear the hejnał up close; be prepared to climb stairs — there is no elevator to the top.
How do I avoid the crowds on the Square? - Come early in the morning or later in the evening; visit popular sites on weekdays if possible. Book museum tickets in advance.
Stories work best when they are short, visual and end with a question. Instead of dry facts, tell the trumpeter’s story as that of a hero, show children Lajkonik’s mace as a magical object that brings luck, and ask them to look for the iron knife under the Cloth Hall. Add interactive elements: ask kids to invent an ending for a legend or to draw Lajkonik.
If you want a stress-free, lively walk, consider a guided tour. Official museum guides and experienced city guides can tailor stories to the group’s age and bring the monuments to life.
If you’d like personal assistance, I recommend using the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. You can find contact details on the Zwiedzanie Krakowa website. Małgorzata can help plan the route, reserve museum tickets and handle logistics such as transport, hotel or restaurant bookings.
Touring with a guide saves time and ensures that children (and adults) hear the best, safest and most memorable versions of the Main Market Square stories. If you wish, arrange a meeting by message or phone to tailor the program to the children’s ages, the group’s interests and the time you have available.
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