Barbican
Trail of War
The Barbican, also known as the Rondel, is the northernmost part of Kraków's former city fortifications. It stands in front of St Florian's Gate, in the Planty park, and served as an additional defence for the gate.
History
The Barbican, also known as the Rondel, is a Gothic structure built on a circular-segment plan with seven turrets, the northernmost outpost of Kraków's old fortifications. It was erected in 1498-1499 in the reign of Jan Olbracht, who feared a Wallachian and Turkish invasion after the defeat in Bukovina; the barbicans in Toruń served as its model. The king laid the foundation stone himself and gave 100 grzywnas towards the construction. A long neck once connected the Barbican with St Florian's Gate, which it was meant to defend. In 1816 Senator Feliks Radwański, opposing the demolition of the Barbican and the gate, argued that without the walls strong northern winds would sweep into the centre and endanger the residents' health. His arguments won the day. Today the Barbican hosts exhibitions, knightly combat shows and summer film screenings.
Did you know?
A plaque dedicated to Marcin Oracewicz has been placed on the Barbican. According to legend, during the Bar Confederation, when he ran out of ammunition while defending Kraków, he loaded his gun with a button from his czamara coat and killed the Russian commander Panin.