Old Town, Historic city district in Kraków, Poland.
The Old Town is a city district with a medieval street layout centered on the Main Market Square, flanked by Gothic and Renaissance buildings. Narrow lanes connect numerous churches and townhouses whose architecture reflects centuries of continuous occupation and rebuilding.
This district was founded in 1257 and granted Magdeburg rights, which provided the legal framework for organized urban growth. It served as Poland's political center until the capital moved in 1596.
The Main Market Square centers on St. Mary's Basilica and the Sukiennice cloth hall, where merchants have traded goods for centuries. These landmarks remain gathering points where locals and travelers naturally converge throughout the day.
The area is best explored on foot, as the narrow lanes create a compact street network that rewards wandering. Tourist information points are found throughout, offering maps to help orient yourself.
The original city walls have largely disappeared, but remnants of defensive towers and gates remain scattered throughout the district. These fragments show how the medieval city was once enclosed and protected.
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