Are you coming to Kraków with a class and want the day to be interesting, safe and full of memories? Join a tour focused on St. Mary's Basilica - the heart of the medieval Main Market Square. As a licensed guide I've led thousands of school groups and know how to combine solid information with fun so students remember history without boredom.
At our meeting on the Square I will talk about the most important monuments around, take you inside the basilica (where part of the visit includes the Veit Stoss altar) and - if conditions and tickets allow - we will go up to the viewing point in the tower, from which the hejnał is played every hour.
I adjust the pace to the students' age: short, engaging stories, simple field tasks and time for quick breaks. For teachers I prepare clear organizational notes - meeting points, signals and a plan B in case of weather or delays.
The tour can be a standalone short program (approx. 1.5–2 hours) or part of a longer day with several stops along the Royal Road or in Kazimierz.
I work with both small classes (up to about 35 students) and larger school groups; please let me know numbers in advance so I can plan logistics.
St. Mary's Basilica stands in the middle of the Main Market Square and its history goes back to the Middle Ages - it is first mentioned in sources in the 13th century. Here you can see the late-Gothic Veit Stoss altar and beautiful polychromes, some of which were worked on by Jan Matejko and his students.
Architecturally the church is notable for its two unequal towers. From the taller of them the hejnał has sounded for centuries - a melody that for many has become a musical symbol of Kraków.
For classes it's useful to stress a few accessible points: the basilica was part of city life - celebrations, craft guilds and local traditions. The interior hides stories about guilds, patrons and artists, and the church was rebuilt many times to reach its present Gothic form.
During the visit I explain how to read architectural elements and what secrets epitaphs, chapels and altars may hide - in a way that's understandable even for younger students.
Access to particular parts of the basilica and to the tower is sometimes limited - tower tickets are sold at the basilica ticket office and places are restricted for safety reasons. When planning a school trip it's a good idea to reserve tickets in advance when possible.
The hejnał is a short melody played every hour from the higher tower of St. Mary's Basilica. For many it is the sound of Kraków - you can hear it live in the Square and on the radio. For children I tell the hejnał as a story: the town watchman, an alarm, the melody cut short and the legend of a Tatar arrow - these elements spark imagination and help memory.
At the same time I explain the practical function of the hejnał in the past: signaling the time, warning of fire or attack, and communicating between watch posts. It's a great illustration of how sound once played important civic roles.
For school groups the hejnał moment is also a perfect opportunity for a short reflection - a simple riddle: why does the melody suddenly stop? With questions like this students arrive at the legendary answer themselves, then learn the historical context.
If we plan to go up the tower, with a bit of luck we can hear the hejnał up close and observe the trumpeter at work.
Remember that the hejnał is played by on-duty trumpeters - it is a living, natural experience that makes a strong impression, especially on younger listeners.
Sample program (approx. 2 hours) - starting point: Main Market Square:
- short organizational warm-up and safety rules reminder,
- guided walk around the Square - the most important places and short stories (Sukiennice, parts of the Royal Road),
- entry to the visitor section of St. Mary's Basilica - presentation of the Veit Stoss altar and the most interesting chapels,
- if tickets and admission limits allow: climb to the viewing point/tower, city panorama and listening to the hejnał,
- short wrap-up with a field task for students (quiz, short game, roles to play).
I adapt the program to the group's age - for the youngest I focus on legends and short tasks, for older students on historical context and sources. I recommend single walks of no more than 2–3 hours so the group stays fresh and engaged.
Safety is a priority. Before we leave I explain simple signals and meeting points. On the Square I usually ask for an armband/ID for supervisors and students, appoint three responsible people (teacher + two assistants) and for the teacher to keep a plastic copy of the participant list in their pocket.
Going up the tower means climbing stairs - sometimes narrow passages and limited group size. If you plan a tower visit, please inform me in advance - extra tickets and limited entry must be taken into account.
Weather can be unpredictable - on rainy days I can offer an alternative indoor program with games and workshops in covered spaces or longer storytelling inside the basilica.
Practical tips: comfortable shoes, small backpacks instead of heavy bags, water for students and a short break after climbing the tower. It's also good to inform parents about the possibility of photos and short recordings during the hejnał.
If you arrive by coach - we will agree on a convenient drop-off and pick-up point so the whole plan runs smoothly and without stress.
Is entrance to the church paid? - Part of the basilica visit is available for a fee; other parts are reserved for prayer and are free. The tower requires separate tickets and has entry limits - it's best to plan this in advance.
How many steps to the tower? - Climbing involves several hundred steps and is physically demanding. For safety please let me know in advance about students with mobility limitations.
Is the program suitable for every class? - Yes. I tailor the content and pace to the age group - from playful legends for younger children to historical context and sources for older students.
What if it rains? - I have alternative options: longer indoor storytelling, museum-style tasks or short thematic workshops.
If you have other questions - I'm happy to answer them when you make a booking and to tailor the program to the class's needs.
My name is Małgorzata Kasprowicz - I am a licensed guide in Kraków (license since 2012). I have led well over ten thousand visitors and for years I have organized school trips, combining a passion for history with practical group-management skills.
When you book I adapt the program to age and expectations: from short, dynamic walks to custom thematic routes and ready-made field-lesson scenarios for schools.
To book: send a message with preliminary details (date, number of students, ages, arrival location/coach) - together we will set the details, tower-entry options and any organizational needs. For larger groups it's best to reserve well in advance, especially in high season.
I can also prepare a short list of practical tips for parents and teachers and an emergency plan for supervisors so the trip runs calmly and without unnecessary stress.
I warmly invite you - together we'll make the visit to St. Mary's Basilica an unforgettable, safe and valuable history lesson for your students.
