the street outside
The Old Town before the concert
A short orientation to the part of Kraków the recitals sit in.
Reserve your Chopin seats ↗The Old Town in numbers
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Political centre | 1038 until 1596 |
| Market Square | Dates to the 13th century; about 3.79 hectares |
| Cloth Hall | Rebuilt in 1555 in the Renaissance style |
| Medieval wall | About 3 km with 46 towers |
| World Heritage | Part of the Historic Centre of Kraków, on the original list |
The Main Market Square
Dating to the 13th century, it covers about 3.79 hectares and is often called one of the largest medieval town squares in Europe.
The Cloth Hall
The Cloth Hall in the middle of the square was rebuilt in 1555 in the Renaissance style, crowned with a parapet decorated with carved masks.
St Mary's Basilica
The Gothic towers of St Mary's Basilica rise above the square and can be seen from most of it.
A walled town
Medieval Kraków was ringed by a defensive wall of about 3 km with 46 towers and seven main entrances.
A capital's old heart
The Old Town was the centre of Poland's political life from 1038 until 1596.
Walking to the hall
The Sławkowska recitals are in the Old Town, so a walk across the Market Square at dusk makes a natural start to the evening.