Jan Matejko Square in Kraków

Jan Matejko Square (Plac Jana Matejki) is one of the best-known squares on the northern edge of Kraków's Old Town. It lies in the Kleparz area, between Basztowa and Warszawska streets, and is home to the Grunwald Monument. Nearby, the Royal Road toward Wawel Castle begins.

Why is it named after Matejko?

The square received its present name in 1882, in honour of the painter Jan Matejko, who was made an honorary citizen of Kraków that same year. It is a rare case of a square named after a person still living. For Poles, Matejko was a national artist whose historical paintings shaped how the country imagined its past, so the choice of patron was no accident.

What was here before?

The area of today's Matejko Square was the eastern part of the market square of Kleparz, a once-separate town that was joined to Kraków in 1791. It held a town hall and butchers' stalls, and the whole area served as the forefield of the Barbican. In the 19th century the market was divided by new buildings: the Academy of Fine Arts, a municipal school and the railway directorate. The square thus took on a new, more formal character.

The Grunwald Monument

The focal point is the Grunwald Monument, unveiled on 15 July 1910 for the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Grunwald, fought in 1410. It was funded by the pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski, later Prime Minister of Poland, and designed by Antoni Wiwulski. The plinth bears the motto "Praojcom na chwałę – braciom na otuchę" ("To our forefathers for glory, to our brothers for courage").

The original did not survive the Second World War: it was destroyed during the German occupation. The monument seen today is a copy erected in 1976 from surviving sketches and models. In front of the monument lies the slab of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

What to see nearby

• St. Florian's Gate and the Barbican — a few steps away, the start of the Royal Road. On the gate's north face is a stone eagle carved in 1882 to a design by Matejko.
• Academy of Fine Arts — its building stands by the square, a reminder of Matejko's ties to Kraków's art school.
• The Planty — the green ring around the Old Town, ideal for a short stroll.
• Stary Kleparz — one of Kraków's oldest city markets, right next door.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Matejko Square? In Kraków's Stare Miasto district, in Kleparz, between Basztowa and Warszawska streets, by the northern edge of the Planty.

What does the monument commemorate? The victory of the Polish-Lithuanian forces at the Battle of Grunwald in 1410. It was unveiled in 1910, destroyed during the war and rebuilt in 1976.

Who paid for the monument? Ignacy Jan Paderewski, the pianist and later statesman. Antoni Wiwulski was the sculptor.

Is the square a good starting point for sightseeing? Yes. From here it is an easy walk to St. Florian's Gate, the Barbican and the Main Market Square, so it works well as the start of a walk along the Royal Road.

Is it worth a visit without a sightseeing plan? Yes. The square is open, spacious and well connected. A few minutes are enough to see the monument, and the surroundings invite a longer walk through the Planty and the Old Town.

Why stop here?

The place combines the history of a market, the memory of a great painter and a symbol of a victory more than six centuries old. The monument, the historic buildings and the proximity of the Planty make the square both a historical sight and a natural landmark when exploring northern Kraków.