Main Market Square, Kraków
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Main Market Square in Kraków (Polish: Rynek Główny w Krakowie, also known as Rynek Krakowski — Kraków's Market Square) is the main square of the Old Town of Kraków, Poland. It dates back to the 13th century and, at 200x200 meters in both dimensions, it is the largest medieval town square in Europe.[1]
The main landmarks on the square are the St. Mary's Basilica (Kościół Mariacki) and the Sukiennice (Cloth Hall).
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[edit] History
Rynek Główny was designed in 1257, during the location of the city of Kraków by prince of Kraków, Bolesław V the Chaste. It was purposefully designed large, to attract passing merchants so they would offer their goods in Kraków, which at that time was the capital of the Kingdom of Poland. At 200x200 meters, for many centuries it was the largest marketplace and town square in Europe.
The square was a witness to many important events in the history of Poland. On 10 April 1525 the Albert I, Duke of Prussia paid the Prussian Homage to the king of Poland, Sigismund I the Old. On 24 March 1794 Tadeusz Kościuszko announced the general uprising and assumed the powers of the Commander in Chief of all of the Polish forces, beginning the Kościuszko Uprising.
[edit] Location
The square is located on the King's Way, between the Barbican of Kraków and the Wawel Castle. Ever since its creation it has been considered the center of the city.
The square is surrounded by old blocks (kamienica) and palaces, almost all of those are several centuries old. They contain many tourism-oriented establishments, as well as the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków and the International Center of Culture. Probably the most famous of the establishments is the Wierzynek's restaurant, remembered for the great feast (dated 1364) which, according to the legend, lasted for twenty one days and helped to reach a consensus between monarchs of Europe.
Among the square's landmarks are the Sukiennice, an ancient trading hall and another one of the city's most recognisable icons, now host to many merchant stalls and the Polish Gallery of Art. St. Mary's Basilica with its Altar of Veit Stoss, a Brick Gothic church built in the 14th century adjacent to the main market square, is another one. Other landmarks include the Church of St. Wojciech, Town Hall Tower and the Adam Mickiewicz's Monument.
Since its creation the ground level has raised, in some places by over 5 meters. Underneath there are large basements, the most famous of which is the Piwnica pod Baranami. Many other basements are now transformed into cafés or restaurants; other include the theater 'Maszkaron' and small archeological museum in the basement of the Church of St. Wojciech. There are passages linking some basements — for example one linking the Town Hall Tower with Sukiennice — and the Sukiennice itself has a little known underground trading hall, 100 meters wide and 5 meters high. Near the Sienna street there is another underground hall, 'Kramy Bogate', with 1200 square meters of space.
Like many other town squares, it is known for its large population of Rock Pigeons.
[edit] Events
The square is a common place for various events and festivities — such as the yearly final concert of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity or the largest New Year's Eve party in Poland.
[edit] Awards
In December 2005, Kraków's Rynek Główny was voted the World's Best Square by the Project for Public Spaces[2].
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text translated from the corresponding Polish Wikipedia article as of 27 October 2006.
[edit] External links
