St. Florian's Gate (Brama Floriańska)
Krakow, Poland, 30-001
St. Florian’s Gate was once the entry point for Krakow’s Old Town in medieval times when the city was surrounded by defensive walls. Many of the city’s fortifications have since been destroyed, but this Gothic gateway remains the only one of eight original gates still standing. So it’s an important photo stop for history lovers and architecture fans alike.
The basics
St. Florian’s Gate’s prime position in the heart of the Old Town makes it easy to find on foot. In fact, it’s the starting point to one of the city’s most important walking routes—the Royal Route, named after the journey that monarchs took for centuries to travel between the Main Market Square and Wawel Castle. To learn about the historical significance of the gate, visit it on a shared or private walking tour of Poland’s culture-rich capital.
Things to know before you go
Because of its age, the terrain around St. Florian’s Gate is uneven and the steps up to the tower are not wheelchair-accessible.
St. Florian’s Gate is typically lit up at night which makes it a great photo opportunity.
Travelers with strollers or wheelchair users can still see St. Florian’s Gate from afar by traveling along the flat terrain of Floriańska Street.
The gate is close to Krakow’s Main Market Square so there are plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafés with restrooms nearby.
How to get there
Located on the north side of Krakow’s Old Town, at the end of popular Florianska Street, it’s easy to access St. Florian’s Gate on foot. It takes around five minutes to walk there from the Main Market Square. Alternatively, if traveling by public transport, then you can get trams #4, #8, #14 or buses #124, #152, or #424 to Stary Kleparz.
When to get there
As St. Florian’s Gate is a public landmark that doesn’t require an admission fee, you can visit it year-round, 24 hours a day. As it is a popular stop for tour groups and architecture enthusiasts, if you want to capture unobstructed photos, then it's best to come in the early morning during weekdays when tourist numbers are typically lower.
The highlights of the Royal Route
An important pathway through the city that’s known for being used on royal processions, St. Florian’s Gate marks the start of the Royal Route. From there, essential sights showcased on the route are the Gothic St. Mary’s Basilica, the Main Market Square, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wawel Castle, and the medieval fortification of the Barbican.
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