Florian Gate is one of the oldest and most important in Krakow. The first mention of them dates back to 1307. It was from here that the “Royal Way” began – the road leading through the entire old town to Wawel Castle. Kings, ambassadors and other important persons invited to a ceremonial reception entered Krakow this way. Later, at the entrance near the gate, a small separate fortress was built – Krakow Barbican, which was supposed to serve as additional protection for the gate (at Masha Pasha has a separate article about us article).
Florian Gate, view from outside the walls, from the Barbican
In the 19th century, when the defensive role of the city’s fortress walls came to naught, they decided to demolish them. However, a professor at the University of Krakow came out with the defense of the Florian Gate and the Barbican and they were not destroyed (the professor argued that the gate and a fragment of the wall would protect the city from the cold northern winds). Today, the Florian Gate, together with a piece of the adjacent defensive wall and the Krakow Barbican are the only fortifications of medieval Krakow that have been preserved.
Entrance gate of the Florian Tower of Krakow
Above the gate is the Florian Tower. Its height is 34.5 meters. At the top there is a coat of arms with a white eagle on one side and a sculpture of St. Florian on the other. On the second floor of the tower there is a chapel. After passing through the gate arch and entering the city, tourists find themselves on Florianskaya Street. If you follow it straight, you can go to Market Square in Krakow and St. Mary’s Church. If you continue straight ahead, you will come to Wawel Castle.
Remains of the fortress walls of Krakow
The fortress wall of Krakow had 47 towers and 7 gates and surrounded the city on all sides. Around it there was a small additional wall several meters high and a moat with water. All this was destroyed in the 19th century. Now on the site of the fortress walls there is a large Krakow Planty Park (our separate excursion is dedicated to it).
View of the fortress wall from the Plant
