Rynek Podziemny
A multimedia museum beneath the slab of the Main Market Square, with the ruins of medieval Kraków and finds from the archaeological excavations of 2005–2010.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Underground Market Square Museum came into being as a result of archaeological excavations that began in 2005, during the replacement of the paving of the Main Market Square in Kraków, and continued until 2010. The exhibition “Śladem europejskiej tożsamości Krakowa” (Following the European Identity of Kraków) opened on 24 September 2010; its creators call it the largest underground museum in the world. In the “Historical Event of the Year 2010” plebiscite the exhibition won an award, and in its first ten years more than 3.4 million people visited it.
Beneath the slab of the Market Square lie the remains of an early medieval settlement and cemetery from the period before the city was founded, as well as later fragments of the market’s buildings from the times of Bolesław Wstydliwy (Bolesław the Chaste) and Casimir the Great, and medieval roads. Visitors see about seven hundred exhibits selected from several thousand finds, combined with multimedia and reconstructions.
The Underground Market Square is a branch of the Museum of Kraków and forms part of the route “Kraków Średniowieczny” (Medieval Kraków).
Highlights
- Remains of an early medieval settlement and cemetery
- Fragments of market buildings from the times of Bolesław Wstydliwy (Bolesław the Chaste) and Casimir the Great
- About 700 exhibits from the excavations
- Multimedia and reconstructions of the historic Market Square
- The route “Kraków Średniowieczny” (Medieval Kraków)
Permanent exhibition
- Śladem europejskiej tożsamości Krakowa – Exhibition beneath the slab of the Main Market Square, with the remains of an early medieval settlement, a cemetery and medieval market buildings, and about 700 exhibits.
- Founded
- 2010
- Operated by
- Muzeum Krakowa
- Director
- Michał Niezabitowski
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 45 zł |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 35 złpupils of primary, secondary and art schools, students and doctoral students, people over 65, pensioners, disability pensioners and people with disabilities (with carers), teachers, veterans and other groups listed in the museum’s regulations |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 6 · Children up to the age of 7 enter free of charge. |
| Seniors | 35 złReduced ticket for people over 65, pensioners and disability pensioners. |
| Visitors with disabilities | 35 złReduced ticket for people with disabilities together with their carers. |
| Students & apprentices | 35 złReduced ticket on presentation of a student ID. |
| Groups (10+ people) | 35 zł per personGroup ticket per person; school groups PLN 26 per person. |
| Families | 90 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 and other branches of the route) | 64 złReduced ticket PLN 56, family PLN 128. |
| Guided tour of the exhibition (price per group) | 350 złFor school groups PLN 320. |
Free admission: Tuesday – free admission (tickets are sold at the ticket office on the day of the visit, without booking).
Holders of the Karta Krakowska pay PLN 36 (reduced PLN 28), and holders of the Karta Dużej Rodziny PLN 22.50. Tickets for free-admission days are not subject to online booking.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
A lift leads to the branch; in December 2025 the museum reported a temporary fault with it, so it is worth checking the current status on the website before a visit. The Museum of Kraków publishes general accessibility information on its page “Muzeum dostępne” (Accessible Museum).
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | 90 zł · Family ticket: two adults and up to two children under 16, or one adult with up to three children under 16. |
The museum offers a family ticket and educational activities for schools.
Getting there & parking
The branch is located beneath the slab of the Main Market Square in Kraków.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tickets cannot be booked online and are sold at the ticket office on the day of the visit; school groups may make reservations from the school’s official e-mail address. Orders for educational activities: rynek@muzeumkrakowa.pl. |
