Does the hejnal really stop in the middle? What hides behind the huge altarpiece and why do children love this story? If you’re planning a visit to the Main Market Square with kids or grandparents, you’re in the right place — I’ll show you how to see St. Mary’s Church so everyone returns smiling and with a new curiosity in their pocket.
As a licensed guide in Krakow I have led thousands of guests — my goal is to combine solid history with fun, set a pace suited to children and adults, and leave behind photos and stories people share for years. In this article I’ll explain what’s worth knowing about St. Mary’s Church and the hejnal and describe my offer for families.
Contents of the text: - a short history and the main sights inside St. Mary’s Church; - the hejnal legend and why it’s worth hearing live; - how I run family tours: methods, pace, games and attractions for the little ones; - practical tips and FAQ — what to bring, where we meet, how to make the visit comfortable for the whole family. We don’t cover other guides here — this is about what I offer and how it looks in practice.
Welcome to read on — below you’ll find both stories and practical advice to help plan a family day on the Market Square. Treat this text as a short guide before meeting your guide.
St. Mary’s Church stands on the Main Market Square and is one of Krakow’s most recognizable symbols. Its characteristic towers are visible from many points in the Old Town, and the interior hides true works of art.
The most important element inside is the Gothic main altarpiece — a monumental sculptural work that draws the eye with its details and the stories behind it. During the tour I talk about the symbolism of the sculptures, the author and how the altarpiece looked in the Middle Ages and today.
Points to notice: - the main altarpiece and its sculptures; - the interior architecture and Gothic details; - paintings and epitaphs that hide local stories; - the view from the church to the Market Square and the surrounding townhouses. For families I present these places as mini-stories, with questions and short tasks for children so they can ask questions and pick up curiosities themselves.
The church interior is extensive and full of detail — my job is to bring out the most important threads in a simple, colorful and memorable way.
The Hejnal is a short melodic signal played from the tower of St. Mary’s Church. For centuries the hejnal has announced important moments and become a city emblem — today you can hear it from the basilica tower punctually on every full hour.
The best-known legend tells of a trumpeter warning the city of an attack — and of the shot that interrupted the melody. I tell this story to children in a simple, slightly dramatic way that helps them remember the tradition and feel emotionally connected to the place.
Why you should hear the hejnal live: - the emotion and atmosphere can’t be matched by a recording; - children remember the moment better when they see and hear it from the square; - you can tell the legend on site and point out where the trumpeter’s house once stood and what medieval threats looked like.
During family walks I stand with the group in the best spot on the Market Square so everyone can see the tower and feel the music’s rhythm — afterwards we talk about the legend, I ask simple riddles and encourage children to ‘draw’ in their minds what they saw.
My family tours are designed to activate children and engage adults — without rushing and with many “pauses” for curiosities and games. My guiding style mixes history, legend and theatrical elements so participants become part of the story.
What a typical family tour includes: - a short and accessible story about St. Mary’s Church and the hejnal; - mini-quests for children (simple tasks: find a sculpture, count specific motifs, build a story); - anecdotes and local legends presented as dialogues; - a pace adjusted to the youngest and breaks for rest or an ice cream.
Available formats and durations: - short Market Square visit and a hejnal story — about 30–45 minutes; - standard family tour of the Old Town including entrance to St. Mary’s Church interior — 1.5–2 hours; - extended route with parts of the Royal Route or extra legends for children — 2–3 hours. Groups sometimes adapt the route to children’s ages and seniors’ mobility — I always plan the day so no one gets overtired.
During family meetings I use simple props, drawings and short quizzes that actively involve kids — while adults enjoy peace of mind knowing the tour is interesting and safe.
Meeting point: Main Market Square, usually by a specific townhouse or directly next to St. Mary’s Church. We agree the exact spot before the tour so nobody gets lost.
Useful tips: - Arrive a few minutes early — the Square can be busy and a calm start helps children focus. - Clothing and shoes: comfortable walking shoes; in the church we keep a respectful dress code (avoid shorts if you plan to enter the interior). - Strollers and accessibility: some routes are stroller-friendly, others go over cobbles — if you come with a stroller I will tell you which route is most convenient. - First aid and snacks: a short snack break works well for the little ones — it’s good to have something in the backpack. - Photos: you may take photos outside and in most interiors; please keep quiet and respect people praying inside the church.
Tickets and entrances: if we plan to enter the church interior or the tower, check availability and opening hours in advance. I help with practical organization so families don’t waste time standing in line.
FAQ — practical answers at a glance: - Is the hejnal played every day? Yes — the hejnal is played regularly; it’s worth being on the Square a few minutes before the hour. - Do children have to be completely quiet in the church? I ask for respect for the place, but short sounds or questions are natural — I adapt the story to their energy. - Is the route suitable for strollers? Much of the Old Town is cobbled — I’ll advise which route to choose to be most comfortable. - How long is the short introduction to the hejnal? Usually 15–20 minutes in the form of a story with short questions for children.
How do I book a family tour? - It’s best to write or call a few days in advance so I can prepare materials and tailor the route to children’s ages.
Do we need to buy tickets in advance? - Entry to the church itself can sometimes be free, but special exhibitions or tower access may require tickets. If we plan to go in, I’ll suggest the best solution.
What if it rains? - I have ideas for a 'dry' route and shorter variants that avoid long periods outdoors; we always leave flexibility in the plan.
Are tours safe for seniors? - Yes — I design routes with comfort, breaks and easy approaches in mind; if needed I choose a variant without stairs and with resting places.
Will children learn something? - Yes — in a light and playful way. After the walk children usually remember one or two stories and a few curiosities they then tell the family as their own 'discoveries'.
Bring a notebook and crayons - children love to draw sculptures and monuments, and simple sketches make great souvenirs. - Treasure hunt: agree to find three things on the Square and offer a small reward. - Family photos: ask someone in the group for a quick session in front of the tower — a nice shot with the hejnal in the background is a memory for years. - A break for hot chocolate or tea: on cold days a short café stop warms everyone and helps summarize impressions.
I hope this guide helped you understand what you can expect from a family tour with me. If you have specific questions about date, time or special needs — write or call and I will create a route tailored to your family. See you on the Market Square!
