A tourist trail in the vaults of the Main Square in Kraków
Poland’s most cutting-edge historical and archaeological museum has been created thanks to archaeological excavations in the Main Square in Kraków, which began in 2005. Originally planned for six months, the works in fact took five years – this was a result of the scale and importance of the excavations. It was during that period that the idea was born to create a state-of-the-art underground exhibition showing Kraków’s one thousand years of history. Thanks to modern technology visitors are taken on a journey back in time and given an opportunity to look at ancient structures, often preserved intact, and other historic objects. Beneath the surface of the Rynek is an extraordinary tourist trail covering an area of six thousand square metres, and featuring an archaeological and architectural sanctuary, and a host of exhibitions, films and multimedia presentations. The Underground Museum of the Main Square is an excellent showcase of Kraków as a one-time world centre of trade, economy, finance and culture.
Its permanent exhibition entitled Tracing the European Identity of Kraków was opened in September 2010. Apart from 700 exhibits displayed in lighted glass showcases, the exhibition makes use of a variety of multimedia techniques, including holographic devices showing reconstructed buildings and 600 three-dimensional models on 37 touchscreens. Other attractions include a water vapour screen showing a busy medieval street, a few dozen displays and projectors, a room with a 180-degree screen and five smaller cinema rooms. The museum has three trails, available for visitors throughout the week, the covering of which takes 45, 60 and 120 minutes. Be prepared to wait in a long queue if you visit during the weekend when the museum is at its busiest.
Passageways run along bridges and walkways suspended over tracts of medieval remains. The oldest objects unearthed during the archaeological excavations include 11th-century tombs (from the graveyard near the present Church of St Mary’s). Visitors can see former merchant stalls while walking along a footbridge suspended above authentic remnants of age-old buildings. Each display has a touchscreen which allows you to get acquainted with dozens of items presented along every segment of the trail. You can also listen to the sounds of street trading, street cries in several languages (including Polish, German, Czech, English) encouraging customers to buy products, noises coming from workshops, footsteps, the clatter of carts on the pavement or the sound of rain. The museum also has a special glass-walled room for children who can attend museum lessons, play with wooden tools, engage in a game or simply draw on a board.
The project was nominated for the main award at the contest Poland Even More Beautiful. Seven Miracles of EU Funds in the Venue category.
Your project description
To add a photo, description, specify a location or attach other materials about the project, you should fill out the form below. After clicking the “send” button, a message will be sent to you e-mail asking for confirmation. You must accept to submit the form. The EU Dot Map Guidelines and consent to the processing of personal data. materials will be sent to the editor of the site, who will publish it on the website after verification test.