The Sukiennice are not only the most recognizable building on Kraków’s Main Market Square — on the upper floor you’ll find the Gallery of 19th‑Century Polish Art, a branch of the National Museum in Kraków. It’s an excellent place for an art, history or civic education lesson because the collection combines the beauty of paintings with topics that fit school curricula.
A visit to the Sukiennice links direct contact with works of art to educational activities: the museum provides ready worksheets and guided routes that you can download and print before your visit. This format strengthens students’ observation skills, ability to read images and creative thinking.
For the teacher it’s also a good starting point, because the National Museum runs museum lessons and workshops for school groups — you can combine independent tasks with a guided tour led by museum staff.
The National Museum in Kraków offers worksheets prepared by the Education Department: one example is the "Artists and Muses" materials — a family-friendly route primarily for younger children, containing 10 task cards related to specific works in the gallery.
The cards include short texts told as stories (voices of heroines from the paintings), art tasks, puzzles, a floor plan and ready-to-cut elements. The materials also suggest games: a memory game with figures from paintings, detective tasks (for example, plotting a route on the map), acting exercises (re-enacting scenes), and discussion questions — all of which make working with a class easier.
From a practical point of view: the materials are ready to download and print — be sure to do this before you leave. The museum note reminds teachers about safety rules: scissors are not allowed in the gallery, so any cut-out pieces must be prepared in advance.
Book the group and arrange museum-lesson details in advance. The museum has an Information and Reservation Center and dedicated contact channels for the Sukiennice branch — ask about available dates and offers tailored to the students’ age.
When planning, pay attention to the Sukiennice opening hours: the branch is usually open Tuesday–Sunday from about 10:00 to 18:00 and closed on Mondays. Tuesday is the day of free admission to permanent exhibitions — important for budgeting, but it may also mean busier galleries on Tuesdays.
Prices and group admission rules: the museum uses different ticket categories (regular, reduced, family, special youth rates). Also check rules about last admission — often the last entry is around 20–30 minutes before closing. When you reserve, ask about the number of free chaperones and minimum fees for school groups.
Before entering, remind students of basic museum rules: keep quiet or speak softly, do not touch exhibits, scissors are prohibited in exhibition rooms, and photograph only where allowed (without flash).
Assign chaperone roles — it’s best to have at least two adults for a school group (for example, the teacher plus another adult). Divide the class into smaller subgroups and give each group a specific worksheet and a place to complete tasks. This keeps work smoother and safer.
Bring basic supplies: pencils/colored pencils, erasers, printed worksheets in sufficient numbers, and possibly a large sheet of paper for a shared note. If you plan tasks requiring cut-out elements — prepare them beforehand.
Arrival and short organizational briefing (5–10 min): gather at the cloakroom, remind students of the rules, hand out worksheets and supplies.
Part I - Thematic walk with tasks (30–40 min): split the class into 3–4 smaller groups; each group visits a designated room and works at the painting indicated on their card (tasks: find details, fill in a crossword, create a short story about the painting’s heroine).
Part II - Museum game and movement activities (10–15 min): use worksheet elements — memory with elegant ladies, short scenes to act out (encourage improvisation), or a detective task with a map (mark the route the heroine should take).
Summary and reflection (10–15 min): group discussion about what students saw, what surprised them and what questions the paintings raise. Ask each group for a short summary (1–2 minutes). For homework: draw a portrait inspired by one of the paintings or write a short story about a character from the worksheet.
For students in grades 4–8 you can expand tasks with analytical elements: compare two paintings in terms of composition, color and subject; write a short historical note about the era shown in the painting; find other works by the same artist in the collection.
Project tasks: ask older classes to prepare a mini‑exhibition — each group selects 2–3 paintings, creates labels and an informational poster for visitors; or organize a debate: "Who mattered more for 19th‑century Polish culture — the painter or their model?"
Cross-curricular elements: connect the lesson with language arts (character descriptions, dialogues), history (uprisings, social context), art studio classes (painting techniques, making a miniature), and civic education (discussion about the role of women in history).
The Main Market Square is convenient logistically — around the Sukiennice there are many places to rest and have a meal after class. If you plan a break with students, choose well-reviewed venues and reserve a table for larger groups in advance.
A few well-known nearby places to consider (confirm availability for large groups beforehand): Camelot Cafe (a cozy cafe popular with Old Town visitors), Wierzynek (a historic restaurant at the Market Square — great for special occasions), Pod Aniołami (traditional cuisine, often suitable for groups).
If the group needs a quick, budget-friendly meal, reserve or call the chosen place in advance to avoid long waits. Pay attention to students’ dietary needs — many venues provide allergen information and kid-friendly options.
Not printing worksheets in advance — remember some elements must be cut out before entering the gallery because scissors are forbidden in exhibition rooms.
Scheduling too many activities in too short a time — realistic working time with the worksheet for a whole class is usually 60–90 minutes; set priorities and choose 2–3 key tasks.
Not checking group entry rules and the number of free chaperones — before you go, ask the museum Reservation Center about current rules and any minimum group fees. This helps you avoid unpleasant surprises at the ticket desk.
Expecting total silence from younger students — plan movement activities or short improvised scenes to let off steam and bring attention back, instead of penalizing natural child behavior.
Where can I download the worksheets? — The National Museum provides educational materials to download in the "To the Museum" section of the branch’s pages; search for materials related to the Gallery of 19th‑Century Polish Art in the Sukiennice.
Does the museum offer guided museum lessons? — Yes, the National Museum organizes lessons and workshops led by the Education Department staff; book a date in advance through the Reservation Center.
How long is the suggested visit with worksheets? — Effective working time for school groups is usually 60–90 minutes; you can split this into shorter modules depending on students’ ages.
Are there special prices for school youth? — The museum applies different ticket categories and often has special rates for young people; check the current price list and group rules before your visit.
For centuries the Sukiennice were a trading center and meeting place for merchants from across Europe — today their upper rooms hide one of the most important collections of 19th‑century Polish painting.
Ready worksheets (for example, "Artists and Muses") are a great base — you don’t have to create everything from scratch: adapt them to students’ ages and combine them with short art workshops or games.
If you enjoyed this material — share it with fellow teachers or on social media. If you would like to visit the Sukiennice with a guide, please contact Małgorzata Kasprowicz — on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com you will find her offer and contact details.
