Krakow - The Magical City
As the old capital of Poland, Krakow has a special place in the national consciousness. For the casual tourist this may not be vitally important or discernable, but this special role as the "spiritual" capital of Poland imbues Krakow with an added ambiance. The city is a vibrant university town that boasts the largest Medieval market square in Europe, plus exquisitely preserved Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural monuments of the highest order. If you get bored of traditional sightseeing, the glorious architecture creates a great backdrop for just sipping a coffee or glass of beer in the outdoor cafes that line practically every street from April-Oct. And at night there are hundreds of bars to suit all tastes, many of them housed in atmospheric cellars. Browse, read and check things out!
Barbakan
landmarks
cultural heritage
Contact details
Stare Miasto ul. Basztowa
Description
The old city walls, including the Barbakan and Florianska Gate
On the north side of the Old Town a small section of Krakow's medieval fortifications have been preserved. The most conspicuous structure is the round, red brick Barbakan toped with seven quaint towers. This structure was built in the 1490s to defend the northern approach to Krakow as this was the most vulnerable side of the city, and a bridge once connected the Barbakan with the Florianska Gate, historically the main entrance to the city, where Polish kings also entered Krakow during coronation ceremonies. Only three towers from the 14th and 15th centuries remain from the 47 that were still standing watch over the city at the end of the 18th century when the Austrian government that had occupied Krakow decided to demolish the rest of the medieval walls in an effort to clean up and modernize the city.
Dennis McEvoy
