Kraków's Glittering Nativity Scenes
Nativity scenes shaped like fairy-tale castles, judged on the square each December.
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A szopka is a nativity scene built as a glittering fairy-tale castle out of Kraków's own church towers and facades. The tradition has been on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage since 2018. On the first Thursday of December the builders display their scenes by the Mickiewicz statue on the Main Square, and the best are then shown in the Krzysztofory Palace through the winter. The walk goes from the city gate across the square with its Christmas market to Wawel, whose towers often appear in the scenes.
The stops
- 1
St Florian's Gate
The medieval gate where the Royal Route begins, along Floriańska Street to the square.
- 2
St Mary's Basilica
A Gothic church with Veit Stoss's carved high altar. A trumpet call sounds from the tower every hour.
- 3
Pałac Pod Krzysztofory
The city museum on the north side of the square, where the best nativity scenes are shown after the contest.
- 4
Franciscan Basilica
Known for the stained glass and wall paintings by Stanisław Wyspiański.
- 5
Wawel Cathedral
The coronation church and royal tombs on the castle hill above the Vistula.
About the trip
- Where
- Kraków
- Getting around
- On foot
- Time
- 2 h 4 min
- Distance
- 2 km
- Stops
- 5
- Season
- November–February
- Themes
- History, Art
Practical
- Start
- St Florian's Gate, about 600 metres from Kraków Główny station.
- Finish
- Wawel. Trams from the Wawel or Plac Wszystkich Świętych stops.
- Toilets
- At the station, in the museum in the Krzysztofory Palace and at Wawel.
- Accessibility
- A flat route with cobblestones on Grodzka and Kanonicza. A gentle ramp leads up to Wawel.