Krakow - Interesting facts for tourists and locals
Today we will take a closer look at the city in a different way than usual, not in a hurry, but attentively - searching for details, peculiarities, secrets... Interesting facts about Krakow - discover them with us!
1. Torch extinguishers
Have you ever wondered about the strange holes at the entrance to the Cloth Hall? What were they used for? Those mysterious openings are torch extinguishers. Before the introduction of gas street lighting, the streets of Krakow were engulfed in complete darkness, illuminated only by the glow of torches. They served as portable lanterns. The torches were extinguished before entering a building. The openings used to extinguish them have survived to this day, not only near the Cloth Hall - you can also find them near St. John Street and Kanonicza Street. Make sure to look for them!
2. The Collar at the Church of St. Mary's
And no, it's not about a timid animal. The collar is a small metal ring placed around the neck of a convict and locked with a padlock so that they cannot escape from it. It was a former punishment tool - collar punishment was used in cities for minor offenses and misdemeanors. It was primarily a church punishment imposed by the parish priest for immoral behavior, working on Sundays and holidays, disrespecting parents, setting a bad example for children. This punishment usually lasted for a few hours. The collar hangs near the side doors of St. Mary's Church.
3. The Pillory
Since we're already on the topic of punishments, it is impossible not to mention the pillory that used to stand in the Krakow Market Square, near the Town Hall. It was a stone column used for public flogging. Undesirable individuals were usually expelled from the city from the pillory - convicts were driven through S艂awkowska Street, through the city gate, along the path now called P臋dzich贸w. This is also where the city gallows were located. The pillory was removed during the market square renovation and was purchased at an auction by the owner of the former village of Mydlniki (now a district of Krakow). It is still located in Mydlniki - currently on a private property at 200 Balicka Street and serves as the base for a statue.
4. Knife on the Wall of the Cloth Hall
Hanging on a chain, near the side wall of the entrance to the Cloth Hall, it is passed by many tourists walking underneath it. Who hung it there? What was it used for? The mysterious knife is connected to the legend of the two brothers who built the towers of St. Mary's Church. Some say it was used as a spatula to level loose goods in official measures. Allegedly, it was hung as a warning to thieves, reminding them that theft could result in their ears being cut off.
5. Lanterns of the Dead
They stand in various parts of the city and now look like inconspicuous chapels. They were usually placed near infectious disease hospitals, cemeteries, shelters, or leper colonies. In the upper open part of the lantern, an oil lamp was placed. The lanterns were built in such a way that the light coming from them could be seen from all sides. When the medieval streets of Krakow were immersed in darkness, they were meant to warn travelers of approaching dangerous places associated with death and the possibility of infection.
6. Queen Jadwiga's Footprint
On the wall of the Carmelite Church at 19 Karmelicka Street, you can see the imprint of Queen Jadwiga's foot. How did it end up there? This is explained in the Legend of Queen Jadwiga's Footprint.
7. House Emblems
House emblems are not just decorative elements - they used to serve a very important function. In the past, houses were not numbered as we do now. The emblems placed above the gates were like old-fashioned "addresses". Would you like to uncover the history of old Krakow houses with us?
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Krakow Houses - A Keen Eye
8. The Crooked Tower of Krakow
Did you know that the tower of the Town Hall, located in the market square, is inclined about 55 cm from the vertical? This is a reminder of the renovation that was carried out after it was struck by lightning. The towers can be visited. Its basement, where the torture chamber was located, has survived to this day. Torture tools from the former Town Hall can be seen in the Matejko House - the painter bought them, thus saving them from destruction. Tongs, pincers, shackles, chains, Spanish boots - suspects of crimes were stretched with ropes, their sides burned with torches, and boiling oil was poured into their throats. If, despite several hours of torture, the suspect did not confess, they were usually released - at that time, confessing to the crime was the basis for the sentence.
In the following article, you will also find a set of coloring pages about other Krakow legends for printing at home:
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The Royal Route - Exploring Krakow, Discovering Landmarks and History
Publish Date: 2020-02-26