Barbakan
Gothic fortification from the late 15th century in front of the Florian Gate, a branch of the Kraków Museum on the route of the city walls.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Barbakan was built in 1498–1499 by order of King John I Albert as an outer gate protecting the Florian Gate. At that time there were fears of a Wallachian-Turkish invasion, and the barbicans in Toruń served as the model for the Kraków building. The Gothic structure, based on a segment of a circle, has an internal diameter of about 24 metres, walls more than three metres thick and seven small turrets. It was once surrounded by a wide moat, and a long neck leading to the gate connected it with the town.
At the beginning of the 19th century the city fortifications were being dismantled, and the barbican and the Florian Gate were saved from demolition by the senator Feliks Radwański. Today it is one of the best-preserved buildings of its type in Europe and is entered in the register of monuments.
The Barbakan now belongs to the Muzeum Krakowa (Kraków Museum). It is visited together with the nearby Mury Obronne (City Walls), and its walls and courtyard host exhibitions, knightly reconstructions and events. The site is part of the “Kraków Średniowieczny” (Medieval Kraków) route, which also includes the Rynek Podziemny (Underground Market Square), the Wieża Ratuszowa (Town Hall Tower) and the Mury Obronne.
Highlights
- Gothic barbican from 1498–1499 in front of the Florian Gate
- Walls more than three metres thick and seven turrets
- Courtyard and galleries with a view of the Old Town fortifications
- “Kraków Średniowieczny” route together with the City Walls
Permanent exhibition
- Barbakan i Mury Obronne – Tour of the Gothic barbican and a section of the city fortifications, which present the history of Kraków’s defence.
- Operated by
- Muzeum Krakowa (miejska instytucja kultury)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 22 zł |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 16 złpupils of primary, secondary and art schools, students and doctoral students, people over 65, pensioners, disability pensioners and people with disabilities (with their carers), teachers, war veterans and other groups listed in the museum’s regulations |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 6 · Children up to age 7 enter free. |
| Groups (10+ people) | 16 zł per personGroup ticket per person; school groups PLN 11 per person. |
| Families | 44 złFamily ticket: two adults and up to two children under 16, or one adult with up to three children under 16. |
| “Kraków Średniowieczny” ticket (Underground Market Square, Town Hall Tower, Barbakan, City Walls) – standard | 64 złConcession PLN 56, family PLN 128. |
| Guided tour (Barbakan and City Walls, price per group) | 280 zł |
Tickets are bought at the ticket office or at the ticket machine on site. Holders of the Karta Dużej Rodziny and the Krakowska Karta Rodzinna (Kraków Family Card) pay half the standard price; discounts also apply to holders of the Karta Krakowska and the Karta Kraków dla Rodziny “N”.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: not available
- Accessible parking: not available
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The historic building has changes in level and thresholds, and the courtyard is paved with uneven stone, which makes it hard to move in a wheelchair. The galleries on the upper floor are reached by stairs without handrails, and there is no lift. There is no toilet for visitors. The site has no marked parking spaces for people with disabilities; the nearest paid spaces for them are on ul. Św. Marka and at pl. Świętego Ducha. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
There is no car park at the site. The nearest paid spaces for people with disabilities are at ul. Św. Marka 18 and 27 and at pl. Świętego Ducha.
- Accessible parking: not available
The Barbakan stands on the northern edge of the Old Town, in front of the Florian Gate, at ul. Basztowa.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Wi-Fi: not available
According to the accessibility statement, the museum branch has no Wi-Fi and no children’s room.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The guided tour covers the Barbakan and the City Walls. Educational sessions are booked at rynek@muzeumkrakowa.pl. |
