essential - krakow

The Krakow Barbican was formerly the main city gate and was originally surrounded by a moat which spanned 30-metres wide from the city walls.

uilt in the 16^th Century the fortress was insurmountable largely thanks to the gigantic barbican, topped with seven turrets and has 130 loopholes positioned across the 3-metre thick walls that stand 10-metres high.

The lower loopholes were used by artillery men whilst archers and rifleman manned the upper levels. The medieval fortification is occasionally used as a concert hall, but is most commonly used as a tourist attraction and visitors are invited on guided tours which run on a daily basis between 10.30am and 6pm.

In addition to the barbican the tour also includes a look at the parapet walk across the remnants of the city walls and the neo-Gothic chapel in the upper echelons of the Brama Florianska gate and tower.