The Cloth Hall
Małopolskie
The Cloth Hall, locally known as Sukiennice, is a Renaissance-era building situated in the heart of Kraków's Main Market Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Historically, it was a bustling center of international trade, where merchants bartered exotic goods such as spices, silk, and leather, while Kraków exported textiles and salt. The building's architecture evolved from its original medieval wooden stalls to a grand Renaissance hall featuring arcades and ornate attics designed by Santi Gucci. In the 19th century, a significant restoration led by Tomasz Pryliński transformed the Cloth Hall into a symbol of Kraków's cultural revival. Today, the upper floor houses the Sukiennice Museum, a division of the National Museum in Kraków, exhibiting the largest collection of 19th-century Polish painting and sculpture, including masterpieces by Jan Matejko, Henryk Siemiradzki, and Jacek Malczewski. The ground floor still functions as a vibrant marketplace with stalls selling jewelry, souvenirs, and crafts, preserving its commercial heritage. The Cloth Hall remains a prominent cultural and historical landmark, blending commerce, art, and architecture in Kraków's Old Town.
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Tip: Visit the Cloth Hall on weekdays outside of Monday, as the museum is closed then. Tuesdays offer free admission to permanent exhibitions, making it an ideal day for budget-conscious visitors. Purchasing tickets in advance is advisable during peak tourist seasons to avoid queues. The upper-floor museum features extensive Polish 19th-century art, so allocate sufficient time for exploration. The ground floor market is perfect for souvenir shopping and experiencing the lively atmosphere of Kraków's historic center.
Interesting facts
- •The Cloth Hall was once a major center of international trade, dealing in exotic imports like spices and silk.
- •It hosted notable guests such as King Charles III and Emperor Akihito of Japan.
- •The upper floor museum holds the largest permanent exhibit of 19th-century Polish painting and sculpture.
- •The Cloth Hall's image appeared on the 50 złoty banknotes issued during the German occupation in World War II.
- •Gas lighting fixtures from the historic period are still preserved and functional under the building's exterior.
- •The 19th-century restoration included caricature sculptures of Kraków's presidents on the eastern risalits' tops.
History
The Cloth Hall's origins date back to 1257 when Duke Bolesław the Chaste mandated the construction of stone cloth stalls in Kraków's Main Market Square.
It evolved from wooden stalls into a Gothic hall built before 1358 under King Casimir III the Great.
After a fire in 1555, it was rebuilt in Renaissance style between 1556 and 1559, featuring arcades and decorative attics by Santi Gucci.
In the late 19th century, between 1875 and 1879, architect Tomasz Pryliński led a major renovation that removed adjacent buildings and adapted the upper floor into a museum space.
The Cloth Hall has witnessed Kraków's historical shifts, from its time as Poland's capital to its decline and cultural revival under Austrian rule.
Place Guide
Main Market Hall
The ground floor of the Cloth Hall features wooden stalls arranged along the walls, selling jewelry, souvenirs, and traditional crafts, continuing the building's centuries-old commercial tradition.
Sukiennice Museum - Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art1879
Located on the upper floor, this museum division of the National Museum in Kraków displays masterpieces from late Baroque to Young Poland, including works by Jan Matejko ('Prussian Homage'), Henryk Siemiradzki ('Nero's Torches'), Jacek Malczewski, and Władysław Podkowiński ('Ecstasy'). The gallery is arranged thematically and chronologically across four grand halls.
Risalits and Decorative Attics1875-1879
The Cloth Hall's facade features risalits with arcades and attics adorned with mascarons (caricature sculptures) representing Kraków's historic presidents, designed by Jan Matejko and executed by Walery Gadomski.
Contact
Phone: 12 433 54 00
