Kraków Barbican, Kraków, Poland

The Kraków Barbican is a fortified outpost once connected to the city walls. It is a historic gateway leading into the Old Town of Kraków. The barbican is one of the few remaining relics of the complex network of fortifications and defensive barriers that once encircled the royal city. It currently serves as a tourist attraction and venue for a variety of exhibitions.

The Gothic-style barbican, built around 1498, is one of only three such fortified outposts still surviving in Europe, and the best preserved. It is a moated cylindrical brick structure with an inner courtyard 24.4 meters in diameter, and seven turrets. Its 3-meter-thick walls hold 130 embrasures. The barbican was originally linked to the city walls by a covered passageway that led through St. Florian"s Gate and served as a checkpoint for all who entered the city.

On its eastern wall, a tablet commemorates the feat of a Kraków burgher, Marcin Oracewicz, who, during the Bar Confederation, defended the town against the Russians and shot their Colonel Panin. Masterpiece of medieval military engineering, with its circular fortress, was added to the city"s fortifications along the coronation route in the late 15th century.

References:

Wikipedia

Castles and fortifications in Poland

User Reviews

J M (2 months ago)
Nice to walk around and take images, especially in the evening. Amazing history which is still made visible to make easy to imagine.

Thomas B (3 months ago)
The Barbican is located at the north end of the historic district, which leads into Krakow’s Main Market Square and is part of Planty Park. This well preserved medieval for fortress, was once part of the defensive fortifications for the city of Krakow back in the 15th century. This structure was truly an experience to explore and to walk the corridors of this historic landmark. In all our travels throughout Europe, this is one of the best-preserved examples of medieval outer-wall fortification. You will need a ticket to enter, but it is worth the price, and you also can use the same ticket to enter the St. Florian’s Gate Museum.

Mark Fuller (6 months ago)
Worth a quick visit - seats around to take a rest on and lots of people. Some great street entertainment when we were there

jason cramp (6 months ago)
Very well preserved structure and guide tour if castles are of interest

Ani Spassova (8 months ago)
A must-see in Kraków! Barbican's historic architecture is stunning, and the surrounding area is rich in medieval charm.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Klearchos Kapoutsis

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The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.

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The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.

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