Kraków is a city where Young Poland and Art Nouveau met the historic fabric of the Old Town — the result is interiors, façades and designs that still surprise with their intensity of color and finesse of ornament. If you are interested in stained glass and decorative interiors from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, it’s worth planning a walk that combines classic museum stops with places where art is part of the city's architecture.
On this route you will see some of Stanisław Wyspiański’s most important works and also discover how Art Nouveau details permeate Kraków’s tenement houses and cafés — it’s a great plan for 2–4 hours that can be stretched into a full day by adjusting pace and coffee breaks. You’ll visit places that are both works of art and part of everyday urban life.
Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi - a must for Wyspiański enthusiasts. The interior delights with the artist’s stained-glass compositions and polychrome work, including the legendary window “God the Father - Be” and smaller but equally striking depictions of saints.
House of the Medical Society (Radziwiłłowska Street) - inside you can find design elements by Wyspiański: brass balustrades, furniture details, wall colours and — historically — stained glass that decorated the stairwell. This is an example of an Art Nouveau civic interior worth seeing “from the inside” during your walk.
Wyspiański Pavilion (All Saints' Square) - a modern installation that exhibits three reconstructed stained-glass windows based on Wyspiański’s designs. The pavilion was created to show how museum cartoons can be translated into glass and how Wyspiański imagined windows of a monumental character.
National Museum in Kraków - the collection of Wyspiański’s work is extensive: cartoons, drawings, stained-glass designs and realised works. If you are curious about the artist’s creative process and want to see sketches and original projects, you’ll find plenty of illustrative material to complement your city explorations.
Palace of Art at Szczepański Square - one of Kraków’s most beautiful Art Nouveau buildings; the façade, friezes and interiors show how Art Nouveau functioned in public and exhibition spaces.
Tenement houses and works by Teodor Talowski - his buildings (including on Straszewskiego and Piłsudskiego streets) have very distinctive, imaginative forms and richly decorated façades. Pay attention to the details of façades and stairwells.
Jama Michalika and the café salons of Young Poland - not only the architecture but the atmosphere of the place reflects the era’s taste. The café interiors and historic décor are part of the cultural map of Art Nouveau in Kraków.
Start: Szczepański Square, Palace of Art - a quick look at the façade, the frieze and, if exhibitions are on, a brief visit inside.
Walk along the Planty towards the Church of St. Francis — enter the interior, spend time with Wyspiański’s stained glass and polychromes, and notice his use of colour and symbolic motifs.
A few minutes on foot to the Wyspiański Pavilion at All Saints' Square — view the reconstructed stained glass and the display dedicated to Wyspiański’s work.
Optional: House of the Medical Society (Radziwiłłowska 4) — if access is possible (interiors are sometimes open only at certain hours or during special events), see the stairwell and Art Nouveau details.
Finish: coffee break at one of the nearby highly rated cafés — a perfect moment to sum up your observations and review photos.
Check opening hours and access rules — some churches hold masses, services or conservation work; museums and the pavilion have varying hours and occasional exhibit limitations.
Look for moments outside peak tourist times — early morning or late afternoon are best for calmly viewing stained glass with favourable light.
In worship spaces: keep quiet, respect people at prayer and be careful when photographing (some places may restrict tripod or flash use).
Clothing and weather: part of the route is outdoors, so dress accordingly; remember to be comfortable for standing and photographing for longer periods.
Cafés and light bites: Cafe Camelot — artistic atmosphere and close to Art Nouveau sites; Charlotte — a bakery with a French vibe, ideal for a break.
Restaurants: Pod Aniołami, Szara (around the Main Market Square) — places often recommended for quality and location, good for a rest after walking the Art Nouveau trail.
Accommodation: in the Old Town and around Szczepański Square you’ll find many highly rated hotels and intimate guesthouses — choose places with good reviews and walking distance to the suggested route.
Surprising: Wyspiański often designed entire interiors, not just individual paintings or stained glass — his aesthetic united furniture, balustrades, lamps and wall colours into a coherent whole.
Surprising: many of Wyspiański’s projects were never realised; their cartoons and sketches are preserved in museums, and some have been later realised or reinterpreted for exhibitions.
Common mistake: assuming all historic interiors are open all the time — access to places like the Medical Society House is often limited. How to avoid this: check each site’s information in advance or ask at tourist information points.
Another mistake: viewing stained glass only from up close — step back to see the composition of a window in the context of architecture and natural light.
Is there an entrance fee to the church? - Typically churches are open to visitors, but some charge a small fee for sightseeing or ask for donations; check before you visit.
Can you enter the House of the Medical Society? - Interiors are sometimes open during events, open days or by prior arrangement; if entry is important to you, check availability in advance.
Do you need a ticket for the Wyspiański Pavilion? - The pavilion also serves as an information point; exhibition schedules can change, so check opening hours before visiting.
How to photograph stained glass? - Best to shoot without flash, use short exposure times or a steady hand; try capturing both close-up details and the window from a distance to show its place in the nave.
If you enjoyed this walk, share the article with friends or on social media — let’s show Kraków through its detail and colour, not just the classic postcards.
If you’d like a more comfortable and in-depth visit, consider booking a private guide with Małgorzata Kasprowicz; on the site you can find contact and tour options tailored to your interests.
Good luck on the route and happy discoveries — Kraków can still surprise people who think they know the city well.
