Town Hall Tower

The Town Hall Tower in Kraków is a Gothic tower standing on the Main Square, right in the heart of the Old Town. It is the only surviving part of the former town hall, which was demolished in 1820. Rising roughly 70 metres, it has long been one of the easiest landmarks to spot in the city.

What is the history of the Town Hall Tower?

The first written mention of Kraków's town hall dates to 1316. The building housed the city authorities, including the mayor, the council and the courts, and it often hosted visiting monarchs. The tower itself went up in the early 15th century, and the Gothic form of the whole complex was settled around the middle of that century.

In 1680 the Gothic helmet crowning the tower burned down after a lightning strike. It was rebuilt between 1683 and 1686 under the royal architect Piotr Beber, who designed a new Baroque helmet that gave the tower the silhouette it still has today. In 1820 the town hall and the granary beside it were pulled down, leaving the lone tower as a witness to the Square's earlier layout.

Is the Town Hall Tower leaning?

Yes, and noticeably so. It tilts about 55 centimetres from the vertical. There is no cause for alarm: the monument has long been under careful protection, and the lean has become a curiosity that local guides like to talk about. It is easiest to see if you stand at some distance and compare the tower's line with the vertical edges of the surrounding townhouses.

What can you see inside?

Today the tower is a branch of the Museum of Kraków and can be visited. A narrow, steep staircase of 110 stone steps leads to the upper rooms. The climb can be tiring, but it is short and the views repay the effort.

The interiors keep much of their old character:

• The ground floor is covered by a cross-ribbed vault that hints at the building's Gothic proportions.
• The first-floor chamber is regarded as one of the most beautiful Gothic interiors in Kraków. It has a cross-ribbed vault and remnants of polychrome painting and gilding.
• The top level lets you look down on the Main Square and take in its layout, the Cloth Hall, St Mary's Basilica and the rooftops of the Old Town.

Why visit?

The tower shows how the centre of Kraków has changed. Standing on the paving of the Square, it is hard to imagine a large building around it with council chambers and courtrooms. The interiors and exhibition help you picture it, and the view from above makes sense of the plan of the medieval chartered town.

It is also a handy meeting point. The tower stands in the middle of the Square, so it is easy to find, and many walks around the Old Town begin near it. A visit inside combines well with seeing nearby sights such as the Cloth Hall, St Mary's Basilica and the surrounding streets.

Frequently asked questions

How tall is the Town Hall Tower? Roughly 70 metres.

Is the tower leaning? Yes, by about 55 cm from the vertical.

How many steps are there? 110 narrow, steep stone steps lead to the top.

Is anything left of the town hall itself? No. The town hall was demolished in 1820, and the tower is its only surviving part.

Who rebuilt the helmet after the fire? Piotr Beber, the royal architect, between 1683 and 1686. The helmet is Baroque in form.

Can you visit the interiors? Yes, the tower is a branch of the Museum of Kraków and is open to visitors.

Practical tips

The staircase is narrow, so expect a short wait now and then when visitors pass each other on the way up and down. Comfortable shoes help on the stone steps. If you want good photos of the Square, choose a time when the light falls on the Cloth Hall and St Mary's Basilica. Because of the tight stairwell, the visit is not ideal for anyone who finds steep stairs difficult.