The Rynek Underground Cracov Poland

An archaeological reserve unique in Europe, covering nearly 4000 sq.m (43,000 sq.ft), was fashioned under the surface of the Main Market Square to provide a display for the treasures that had been found and narrate the turbulent history of Medieval Kraków.

 The tourist route under the Main Market Square leads between the stone and brick walls of the cellars of former trading sites, including the Kramy Bolesławowe Stalls, Kramy Bogate Stalls, the Great Scales, and the Cloth Hall. Another curio is the preserved stretches of transport routes, which provide an idea of what the mediaeval technology of road building was. The untouched layers in archaeological section explain how the surface of the Main Market Square has risen over the last few hundred years.

 Numerous objects make it possible to imagine daily life in Kraków a few centuries ago. The exhibition shows, among others, mediaeval tools, historical coins, clay figures, decorations, dice and toiletry articles used over 600 years ago, together with the Tartar arrowheads, and beads and medallions from the Orient. Especially commanding is the slab of lead – a highly precious metal at the time – weighing 693 kg (1528 lb), the only such item in the world, locally known as a “loaf”. Visiting the tourist route in the Rynek Underground, one can also become familiar with the history of Kraków from before the foundation of the city. The oldest history of the site is exemplified by reconstructions of 11th-century burials presented in the exhibition. A picture of the pre-charter settlement destroyed during the Tartar raid of 1241 emerges from the original foundations of cottages from the late 12th and early 13th century, and reconstructions of goldsmith’s and blacksmith’s workshops.

Wawel Cathedral in Wawel Cracov in Poland

The Royal Cathedral has witnessed many coronations, funerals and burials of Poland’s monarchs and strongmen over the centuries. This is the third church on this site, consecrated in 1364. The original was founded in the 11th century by King Bolesław I Chrobry and replaced with a Romanesque construction around 1140. When that burned down in 1305, only the Crypt of St Leonard survived. Highlights include the Holy Cross Chapel, Sigismund Chapel, Sigismund Bell, and the Crypt of St Leonard and Royal Crypts.

The present-day cathedral is basically a Gothic structure, but chapels in different styles were built around it later. Before you enter, note the massive iron door and, hanging on a chain to the left, huge prehistoric animal bones. They are believed to have magical powers; as long as they are here, the cathedral will remain. The bones were excavated on the grounds at the start of the 20th century.

Once inside, you’ll get lost in a maze of sarcophagi, tombstones and altarpieces scattered throughout the nave, chancel and ambulatory.

Among a score of chapels, a highlight is the Holy Cross Chapel (Kaplica Świętokrzyska) in the south-western corner (to the right as you enter). It’s distinguished by the 15th-century Byzantine frescoes and the red marble sarcophagus (1492) in the corner by Veit Stoss, the Nuremberg sculptor known to Poles as Wit Stwosz.

Ascend the tower accessible through the sacristy via 70 steps to see the Sigismund Bell (Dzwon Zygmunta). Cast in 1520, it’s 2m high and 2.5m wide, and weighs 11 tonnes, making it the largest historic bell in Poland. Its clapper weighs 350kg, and eight strong men are needed to ring the bell, which happens only on the most important church holidays and for significant state events. The views from here are worth the climb.

From the nave, descend from the left-hand aisle to the Crypt of St Leonard , the only remnant of the 12th-century Romanesque cathedral extant. Follow through to get to the Royal Crypts (Groby Królewskie) where, along with kings such as Jan III Sobieski, many national heroes and leaders, including Tadeusz Kościuszko, Józef Piłsudski and WWII General Władysław Sikorski, are buried.

The showpiece chapel is the Sigismund Chapel (Kaplica Zygmuntowska) up the aisle and on the southern wall. It’s often referred to as the most beautiful Renaissance chapel north of the Alps and is recognisable from the outside by its gilded dome.

Diagonally opposite the Sigismund Chapel is the Tomb of St Queen Hedwig (Sarkofag Św Królowej Jadwigi), a much beloved and humble 14th-century monarch whose unpretentious wooden coronation regalia is on display nearby.

In the centre of the cathedral stands the flamboyant Baroque Shrine of St Stanislaus (Konfesja Św Stanisława), dedicated to the bishop of Kraków, canonised in 1253 and now the patron saint of Poland. The silver sarcophagus, adorned with 12 relief scenes from the saint’s life, was made in Gdańsk between 1663 and 1691; note the engravings on the inside of the ornamented canopy erected about 40 years later.

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St Mary's Basilica in Cracov in Poland

Overlooking Rynek Główny, this striking brick church, best known simply as St Mary’s, is dominated by two towers of different heights. The first church here was built in the 1220s and following its destruction during a Tatar raid, construction of the basilica began. Tour the exquisite interior, with its remarkable carved wooden altarpiece, and in summer climb the tower for excellent views. Don't miss the hourly hejnał (bugle call) from the taller tower.

The main church entrance, through a Baroque portal added to the southwestern facade in the 1750s, is used by worshippers; tourists must enter through the side door to the southeast.

The chancel is illuminated by magnificent stained-glass windows dating from the late 14th century; the blue star vaulting of the nave is breathtaking. On the opposite side of the church, above the organ loft, is a fine Art Nouveau stained-glass window by Stanisław Wyspiański and Józef Mehoffer. The colourful wall paintings, designed by Jan Matejko, harmonise beautifully with the medieval architecture and are an appropriate background for the high altar, which is acclaimed as the greatest masterpiece of Gothic art in Poland and allegedly designated the eighth wonder of the world by Pablo Picasso.

The altarpiece is a pentaptych (an altarpiece consisting of a central panel and two pairs of side wings), intricately carved in lime wood, then painted and gilded. The main scene, visible when the pentaptych is open, represents the Dormition (or Assumption) of the Virgin surrounded by the Apostles. The outside has a dozen sections portraying scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin. The altarpiece is topped with the Coronation of the Virgin in Heaven and, on both sides, the statues of the patron saints of Poland, St Stanislaus and St Adalbert.

Measuring about 13m high and 11m wide, the pentaptych is the country's largest and most important piece of medieval art. It took a decade for its maker, Veit Stoss (known in Poland as Wit Stwosz), to complete this monumental work before it was consecrated in 1489.

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