🇵🇱 Kraków
St. Florian's Gate & the Barbican
The Barbican (1499) is one of only three Gothic barbicans left standing in Europe. St. Florian's Gate, first recorded in 1307, is the only one of Kraków's eight medieval city gates never demolished.
Two pieces of Kraków's medieval defences, 50 metres apart and directly across the street from our hotel.
St. Florian's Gate (Brama Floriańska) is the last survivor of the eight gates that once pierced the city walls, first recorded in 1307 and standing about 34 m tall. It marks the head of the Royal Route, the ceremonial road that runs down Floriańska, through the Main Square, and up to Wawel. It is free to walk through, and the stretch of original city wall beside it doubles as an open-air gallery where local painters hang their work.
The Barbican (Barbakan) is the showpiece: a round red-brick fortress built in 1498–1499 as an advance outpost in front of the gate, ringed by seven turrets and walls up to three metres thick. It is one of the best-preserved barbicans in Europe. In summer you can go inside (a branch of the Museum of Kraków, on a combined ticket with the City Defence Walls).
It is a natural quick stop: free to admire from the Planty park that surrounds it, or about 30–45 minutes if you go inside. Note the Barbican is closed Mondays, so go inside on Tuesday 28; the gate itself you can walk through any time.