About This Location
St. Florian’s Gate is the northern entrance to Kraków’s Old Town and the best-preserved piece of the medieval defenses. The tower is first mentioned in records from 1307, built as part of the stone walls raised after the devastating Mongol (Tatar) attack of 1241, when the city decided it needed stronger protection. This was once the most important gateway into Kraków. A fortified passage and bridge connected it to the Barbican across the moat, creating a tough checkpoint before anyone could reach Floriańska Street and the Main Market Square. It is also the start of the famous Royal Road, the ceremonial route used for royal entrances and major processions toward Wawel. Look up at the details. The gate tower rises about 33.5 meters, with a Baroque metal “helmet” added in 1660. On the Old Town side there is an 18th-century bas-relief of St. Florian, and on the outer face there is a stone white eagle added in 1882, based on a design by Jan Matejko. One more fact that makes this place special: medieval Kraków had eight main city gates, but St. Florian’s Gate is the only one that survived the 19th-century demolition of most fortifications. The remaining wall section nearby is now famous for open-air displays of local art, turning a former defense line into a living street gallery.