If you are thinking about visiting the Underground Museum in Kraków, here is something you should read. You know, there’s always something new to discover in this bustling hub of history and culture. In fact, thousands of tourists flock here each year to unwind, explore, and immerse themselves in Krakow’s vibrant streets.
To cater to their adventurous spirits, Krakow offers a plethora of attractions. One that particularly stands out is the underground tourist trail beneath the Main Market Square. We’ve all strolled above it, but let me tell you now, the real question is, what surprises might the square’s subterranean depths hold?
Underground Museum – The Depths of Krakow’s Main Market Square
Back in the summer of 2005, a six-month-long archaeological dig was planned for the eastern part of the Krakow market square. But the underground had its own timeline. It unveiled so many hidden treasures that the archaeologists stayed on for five long years!
This should hardly come as a surprise, considering the thousand-year-old stories it’s been holding on to. Now, I am convinced you’d appreciate the fruits of this arduous labor. Why?
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Because you can walk through the history-rich corridors beneath Krakow’s market square. You will come across remarkable artefacts from the Middle Ages like tools, jewelry, toys, footwear, weapons, coins, seals, merchant weights, and bone combs. Even delicate costume ornaments await your discovery.
My Review of The Krakow’s Underground Museum
The immersive experience at the underground museum starts the moment you step into the glass elevator. You’re slowly drawn into the past as the elevator descends past walls adorned with medieval calligraphy.
If you want to feel the vibrant energy of the place, just step into the locker room filled with the buzz of multiple languages. Shed any unnecessary baggage there and proceed into a narrow corridor.
The murmur grows louder as you walk further in. The crowd’s banter starts making sense: „Buy kooooszyk!”, „Oak crisps!”, „Rings at a good price!”, „Gold, of the highest quality”, „Buy it ladies”, „Best quality lady silk, great for a dress! Venetian…”
You’ll even hear Czech, German, and old English echoing off the walls. Continue down the corridor and you’ll find delicate fabrics brushing against you, enhancing the overall experience.
My First Big Surprise
As you take the correct entrance, I can tell you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Picture this – you’re standing in the dark when a scene unfolds on a screen in front of you. A woman in the foreground carries a basket full of fruit, stalls buzz with merchants selling a myriad of goods, a rogue eyes a wealthy man’s purse, and a preacher in the background calls for repentance, uttering St. John’s words, „In pricipio erat Verbum…”.
There’s the laughter of children chasing a petrified cat, the clamor of medieval music, and the murmur of a local minstrel. The stalls overflow with vibrant fabrics, large chunks of amber, hefty chests, and painted furniture.
After a captivating minute, a city guard standing by the entrance beckons you in. A screen made of steam poses no obstacle as you step into the heart of the museum.
A Voyage Through Time – Panoramic Views
The museum’s ground is a visual feast of multi-colored lights, demonstrating laser dating of layers. Beneath the glass floor, you’ll find a meticulously formed map of Europe’s 15th-century trade routes. There you are, standing above the Tatras mountains, while sounds of mountain wind emanate from a speaker.
A step further reveals a miniature Krakow. A distant bugle call reaches your ears while an Orthodox choir of Kiev resonates to your right, and a tiny Prague unfolds behind you. All of this enveloped within a metaphorical crystal ball. As your feet touch the sea representation, the echo of waves and seagulls enriches your auditory experience.
The High-tech Underground Exhibits
As you look above the map, you’ll notice a beautifully depicted landscape painting. Amidst the willows, fields, and forests covering the delicate hills, a merchant’s cart packed with goods trundles along. Your gaze extends to the horizon, revealing a meiieval Krakow wrapped in walls and the Vistula river. The cart keeps moving, and smoke drifts from a distant chimney.
The museum space is supported by columns that house four touch screens. With these, you can trace the roots and growth of trade throughout centuries. Transparent, semi-circular showcases hang on the walls, each narrating the tale of thousands of artifacts discovered beneath the market.
I think it is worth saying that this is merely the beginning of the exhibition. You’re just getting a taste of an impressive spectcle of sensations that is absolutely worth exploring.
Opening Hours
Krakow Market Square Underground has specific hours you should know about.
- Monday, Wednesday – Thursday: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Friday – Sunday: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Second Monday of the month: Closed
If you want to save some cash, remember that on Tuesdays, admission is free. You just need to reserve your spot in advance.
Ticket Prices to the Krakow Market Square Underground
Now, I think it’s worth to say the ticket pricing is quite reasonable for such an experience:
- Standard ticket: 28 PLN
- Reduced ticket: 24 PLN
- Family ticket: 56 PLN
- Group ticket: 24 PLN
- Reduced group ticket: 22 PLN
- Guide service: 130 PLN
What to Expect?
You’ll get to see all sorts of artifacts, like old decorations or coins. I can tell you that one special exhibit is a silver denarius minted by Władysław Łokietek in the early fourteenth century, featuring an image of St. Stanislaus.
Other intriguing finds include objects left by past residents and visitors, and stone roads marked with grooves from centuries of merchant carts. These are but snippets of history awaiting you.
But there’s more! You’ll encounter multimedia exhibits, all nestled in a dimly lit setting, which truly sets the mood.
Is It Worth It?
You’ll discover the lifestyles of people from a long, long time ago. It’s an amazing history lesson presented in a fresh and engaging way. I am convinced that a visit to this place with your family would be a fantastic way to uncover the secrets of the past. Trust me, seeing Krakow from this perspective is an opportunity you can’t afford to miss.
References:
- https://krakowzwiedzanie.pl/podziemia-rynku-w-krakowie/
- https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podziemia_Rynku_w_Krakowie
- https://karnet.krakowculture.pl/397-krakow-rynek-podziemny
- https://muzeumkrakowa.pl/oddzialy/rynek-podziemny
