Krzysztofory Palace. Krakow from the Beginning, Without End

How to fit the whole of Krakow in several rooms? The history of the city, from its legendary past to the present, its culture and tradition, the stories of Krakow's residents: the distinguished and famous, ordinary passersby and workers, and even the four-legged and winged ones?

Can we show what is known and obvious, while avoiding boredom and surprising at the same time?

Krakow from the Beginning, Without End

Krzysztofory Palace is the main branch of the Museum of Krakow, located on the Main Market Square in a tenement house on the corner of Szczepańska and Sławkowska streets. We can recognize it by the figure of St. Christopher on the facade - it owes its name to him. Since 2022, Krzysztofory Palace invites visitors to a new permanent exhibition: "Krakow from the Beginning, Without End," addressed to both residents and guests of the city, young and old - everyone will find something for themselves! It is worth starting your encounter with the history of the city here.

Krakow in a Nutshell: History, Facts, and Curiosities

The wealth of topics and contexts related to Krakow is presented in 12 themes. Initially, we learn about the history of the city chronologically, and then more broadly.

We start the tour in the rooms located in the basement of the palace. Here, we will be transported to the Middle Ages: we will learn about legends, kings, and Krakow's ghosts, see how the city and its streets have changed.

Exhibition "Krakow from the Beginning, Without End" - Attractions for Children

The creators of the exhibition "Krakow from the Beginning, Without End" have thought about the youngest guests:

• In almost every room, we will find something we can touch, try on, or build.
• An additional attraction and an interesting task for children can be to find 12 clocks in the rooms, indicating the hours from 1:00 to 12:00.
• In one of the last rooms, near the display case with an element from Wit Stwosz's altar, be sure to look for a lost yellow shoe!
• When visiting the Krakow nativity scene at the end of the tour, let's play a game of finding "Krakow contexts": can you find 3 doves and a enchanted carriage in the nativity scene, for example?

On the second floor, we will find a story about Krakow's burghers, artists, craftsmen, merchants, and workers. We will also learn about Krakow's traditional costume and read stories about Krakow's animals.

Entering the Krakow Nativity Scene

At the end, we will explore the sacred theme, and as part of it, a special treat awaits us: entering a real Krakow nativity scene!

Krzysztofory Palace - Other Attractions for Children

In addition to visiting the permanent and temporary exhibitions (e.g., the competition exhibition of Krakow nativity scenes), we recommend participating in workshops, activities, and performances for children organized here. More about the offer of the Museum of Krakow for children can be found at: [link to the museum's website].

Krzysztofory Palace. Exhibition of Krakow Cribs

At the exhibition, you will see cribs made by professional crib artists: large, medium, small, and miniature cribs, as well as family, children's, and school cribs. ...

...and during the Easter season: the competition exhibition of traditional Emaus trees.

Visiting Krzysztofory Palace - Practical Information

• Most of the exhibitions can be visited with a stroller: we can use the elevator to reach the 1st and 2nd floors. It may be a bit more difficult in the underground areas. Wheelchair lifts are installed here, but due to narrow passages in the cellars, it may be more convenient to leave the stroller at the cloakroom and carry the child in your arms or use a baby carrier.
• Toilets, including those for people with disabilities, are available.
• A baby changing table can be found in the parent and child room on the 1st floor. This room can also serve as a quiet place to rest or comfortably feed a small child.
• There is a souvenir shop and numerous publications, including those for children, available at the museum.
• Plan about 1.5-2 hours for visiting the permanent exhibition. You probably won't be able to read everything in detail or notice everything on your first visit, but what's stopping you from coming back? Krakow can be endlessly discovered! Krzysztofory Palace. Krakow from the Beginning, Without End. What will the mascarons from the Cloth Hall tell us? You decide!

PS. If you are interested in specific topics covered in the exhibition, look for their development in other branches of the Museum of Krakow, such as [links to other museum branches].

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Author: Marfusza
Publish Date: 2022-02-09
Last Updated: 2023-07-04