Following the Traces of European Identity of Kraków

Walking between Kraków's Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and Saint Mary’s Church, one may not realise that hidden away a few metres under the ground is a treasure trove of knowledge about Kraków’s past. To discover it, you just have to step down into the Rynek Podziemny.

The Underground Market is a fragment of medieval Krakow uncovered by archaeologists in 2005-2010. The exhibition created here tells the story of the history of the urban space in which Krakow's Main Market Square was delineated in 1257. Before it was built, from the 10th century onwards, there was first a cemetery here, and then a so-called open settlement built by settling craftsmen. It was destroyed by the Mongols in 1241, and its ruins can be seen in the exhibition. It also tells the story of the Market Square of Krakow as a space for trade and craft activities. The exhibition features relics of medieval buildings and the foundations of Kraków's Cloth Hall.

The most valuable exhibits include a silver denarius minted by Władysław the Elbow-high at the beginning of the 14th century—with an image of St. Stanislaus; a silk purse from the 14th century; a so-called "lead loaf" weighing nearly 700 kg. A 14th century silk purse; a lead loaf weighing nearly 700 kg and bearing very interesting markings referring to its origin, owner and weight; a knife handle carved in bone in the shape of a human figure and dating from the turn of the 14th century; a coin from Armenia, which somehow managed to reach Krakow in the 12th century with its owner; an 11th-century Byzantine pendant and cross found in one of the graves of Krakow's 11th-century cemetery; an image of the ancient Medusa placed on a 14th-century ornamental badge that used to be attached to someone's coat or headgear.