Planty beside Pijarska: spring paths along the old walls

A reason to pause here

We like the way the park paths and the carved street façades sit close together here. A short turn towards Pijarska gives the walking route a view of buildings as well as spring greenery.

From defences to public gardens

Planty was laid out in the early nineteenth century on the ground of Kraków’s former defensive walls, moat and embankments. Feliks Radwański and Florian Straszewski helped bring the gardens into being. The northern side near Pijarska is a useful place to compare this planted ring with the medieval defences that were retained.

Step between garden and street

Our photographs alternate between benches under trees and carved stonework in the street façades. We would make those small turns rather than stay on a single avenue. The nearby gate and Barbican can become the next stops if you want to follow the defence story.

Plan the visit

The park paths are public outdoor routes. Museum visits to the surviving defences have separate arrangements, so check those before leaving the path. After rain, use paved routes rather than cutting across beds or lawns.

• Look towards Pijarska as well as along the park avenue.
• Combine the walk with Saint Florian’s Gate and the Barbican.