Collegium Novum at 24 Gołębia Street is a Jagiellonian University building with distinctive neo‑Gothic features. It hosts lectures, ceremonies and public presentations — but during long weekends and holidays many institutions change opening hours or close. This article explains the mistakes tourists most often make and how to make your visit smooth and pleasant. You’ll also find practical tips, recommended nearby places to rest, and a short FAQ for anyone planning a quick trip to central Kraków. Stay with us — a few minutes of planning can save an entire day of your trip.
Collegium Novum is more than an impressive façade — inside you’ll find the Aula (the ceremonial hall), lecture rooms and spaces used for important academic events. Interiors are sometimes open to the public for open lectures, conferences and special events. You can occasionally catch an interesting public lecture or academic presentation.
Remember that Collegium Novum is a working university building — class schedules, lectures and internal events affect public access. That means you can’t assume you’ll be allowed in just because a building is historic; it’s best to check ahead or call the university administration for the latest information.
Assuming the building is “always open” — many people think a historic central building can be visited at any time. In reality, during long weekends the university and cultural institutions often operate on modified schedules, cancel regular hours or observe additional days off. How to avoid it: check opening hours in advance (university website or by phone) and plan alternatives.
Arriving without registration for events that require sign‑up — if you want to attend a specific lecture, presentation or guided visit, reserve in advance. How to avoid it: sign up if required or arrive early — many events have limited seating.
Confusing Collegium Novum with other UJ buildings — Kraków’s Old Town contains several similarly named university buildings (Collegium Maius, Collegium Medicum, etc.). Tourists sometimes go to the wrong address or expect access rules that belong to a different building. How to avoid it: verify the exact address (Gołębia 24) and compare a photo of the façade before you go.
Expecting unrestricted access to all interiors — parts of the building are used daily by university departments and are not open for sightseeing. How to avoid it: respect signs marked “private” or “staff only” and don’t try to enter restricted areas.
Not preparing for crowds during a long weekend — the Market Square and nearby streets can be very busy, which affects walking times and table availability in nearby cafés and restaurants. How to avoid it: visit early in the morning, choose off‑peak afternoon hours, reserve a table, or plan the visit for a weekday.
Address and contact — Collegium Novum, 24 Gołębia Street. It’s helpful to have the administration or secretariat phone number saved in case you want to check Aula availability or planned events.
Hours and event calendar — some lectures and events take place in the Aula; not all are open to the public. For long weekends check university announcements and faculty schedules because additional days off may apply.
Accessibility and restrictions — don’t expect full access to the building all day; access may be limited during ceremonies. Bring an ID if you plan to attend an official event, and wear sensible shoes — old stairs and marble steps can be slippery after rain.
Plan B — in case the building is closed: there are many other interesting historical spots and museums nearby, including the Old Town streets and Wawel Castle (check Wawel hours separately), plus cafés and small museums that sometimes remain open even when bigger attractions are closed.
Around the Old Town you’ll find many well‑rated places. If you’re planning a coffee or a meal, consider tried and trusted spots such as Cafe Camelot (a cozy, much‑loved café), Pod Aniołami (a traditional restaurant in atmospheric cellars) and Szara (a popular restaurant by the Main Market Square known for its location and quality). These places often get crowded during long weekends — booking ahead is recommended.
If you prefer a quick, local meal, look for milk bars (bar mleczny) and small bistros in side streets; they often serve hearty, affordable dishes with shorter waits.
For dessert and relaxation, visit one of the local cafés for excellent coffee and cake — a lovely pause between sightseeing and your next stop.
Although its name suggests great age, the Collegium Novum in its current form dates to the 19th century — the building was rebuilt and expanded between 1873 and 1887 with a neo‑Gothic façade and representative interiors. This is an important detail for anyone interested in architectural history.
The Aula of Collegium Novum still serves representative and academic functions — lectures, conferences and ceremonies take place there, so instead of a regular sightseeing visit you might “accidentally” attend an interesting talk. If you enjoy surprises, that can be a delightful bonus.
During long weekends various Jagiellonian University faculties may observe additional days off or limit office hours — if you plan to visit a specific office or an exhibition tied to the university, check faculty announcements in advance.
Can I enter Collegium Novum every day? — Not always. The building houses university functions; some spaces are opened to the public only for lectures or events. Before you go, check the event schedule and administrative notices.
Are there tickets and where to buy them? — Access to the Aula during events is usually managed by the event organizers — there is no permanent “on‑site ticket” counter. If an event is paid, payment and registration details will appear in the event description.
Can I take photos inside? — Generally photography is allowed, but official ceremonies and certain events may have restrictions. Please respect organizers’ requests regarding photography.
How much time should I allow for a visit? — If you only want to admire the façade and perhaps enter the Aula under favorable circumstances, 30–60 minutes is enough. If you plan to attend a lecture or combine the visit with nearby sights, allow 2–3 hours.
When planning a visit to Collegium Novum during a long weekend, be prepared: check opening hours, look for information about lectures and reservations, and have an alternative plan in case the building is closed. Most problems come from assuming the building is “always accessible” — remember it’s an active academic institution with a changing schedule.
In practice: get up early, aim for morning hours outside peak tourist times, save the university administration contact, and reserve a table at a nearby restaurant if you plan to eat in the Old Town. These simple steps will reduce stress and let you enjoy the atmosphere of the Old Town.
If you found this text helpful, share it with friends or on social media — a little planning can save an entire long weekend.
If you prefer to explore without surprises and want to gain the most from the site’s history, consider a guided visit with Małgorzata Kasprowicz. A guided tour will let you see beyond the façade and hear stories and details that often get lost in a hurry. For bookings and details visit zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
