Kraków Planty

Nature

Widok na mężczyznę i kobietę, którzy w ręku trzymają liście i rzucają nimi w kierunku dziecka stojącego po lewej w niskim ogrodzeniu i bawiącego się liśćmi. Mężczyzna trzyma kobietę w pasie. Obok stoi wózek dziecięcy. Wokół drzewa, ławki i wszędzie kolorowe liście. Po prawe po alejce idą dwie osoby. Na wprost za drzewami fragmenty budynku.

31-001 Kraków Tourist region: Kraków i okolice

Four kilometres long and covering 21 hectares, Kraków Planty is one of the most popular parks surrounding Kraków Old Town. It was designed on the site of the defensive walls, demolished in the early 19th century, at the entrance to what was then the sewage and rubbish dump. Today, it is one of Kraków's main attractions, a place to stroll and relax.

Cracovians have always enjoyed walking here. Looking at the so-called Kołłątaj Plan of Kraków from 1785, one can see that there was a place with gardens but also with beer halls, not far from the Reformation church. At the beginning of the 19th century, the first promenades were laid out here, and thanks to the vision of Senator Professor Feliks Radwański, they were being transformed into a green promenade to serve residents and tourists. Of the fortifications, the Florian Gate, the Barbican and the walls with the Pasamonik and Stolarska towers have survived. In successive phases of the work, managed after Radwański's death by the social activist Florian Straszewski, the Kraków Planty area was planted with trees, many of which are chestnut, lime, poplar and maple. Lawns, playgrounds and, in later years, premises, and concert pavilions appeared.

When the Plantation Commission was established in 1871, the idea was born that the Kraków Planty should also become a gallery for monuments. Dozens of them were created. In 1874, contributions from the citizens of Kraków made it possible to erect a statue of Florian Straszewski, Planty’s first such memorial. At the intersection of Sławkowska, Basztowa and Długa Streets is a monument by Tomasz Oskar Sosnowski depicting Jadwiga and Ladislaus the Short and near the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre is a bust of the writer and literary critic Michal Bałucki. Among the trees in the Planty today, one can also see, among others, the sculpture of an owl by Bronisław Chromy, the statue of Tadeusz Boy-Żeleński created by Edward Krzak, the sculpture of Grażyna and Litawor by Alfred Daun, and the fountain representing Chopin's Piano created by Wanda Czełkowska based on a design by Maria Jarema. There is also a statue of Nicolaus Copernicus and, on the opposite side, a Freedom Oak planted in 1919.

Today, Planty is a place for rest, recreation and learning about Kraków's history, and features eight gardens, stylish benches and lighting.