Collegium Maius (Great College), Krakow (must see)
The Collegium Maius (Latin for "Great College") is the first building in Poland that was used by a university. Located on Jagiellon Street, the building was gifted by King Wladyslaw II to the Jagiellonian University in 1400. By the end of the 15th century, the University had become popular and attracted students from all over Europe. Nearby buildings were added to the University and a courtyard was built while adding touches of Neo-Gothic architecture to the main building in 1517. By then, the University had seen some famous students like Copernicus, the Renaissance astronomer and polymath who would revolutionize European ideas about the universe.
Classes were conducted on the ground floor while the faculty occupied the higher floors as their residence. As the infrastructure grew, the Collegium Maius went on to become the first house of the University library. Today, the building is home to the Jagiellonian University Museum and exhibits the University's rich collection. Here, you can expect to see lecture rooms, communal halls, professors’ quarters, a library and a treasury containing rectors' Gothic maces and the Jagiellonian globe. Exhibits also include medieval scientific instruments, globes, paintings, collectibles, furniture, coins and medals.
Along with temporary exhibitions, the building also hosts an interactive educational show titled ‘The World of Senses’ which must not be missed. It elaborates the power of human understanding and you are sure to feel enlightened after watching the show.
Why You Should Visit:
It's free to look at the beautiful and ancient courtyard, but it's also well worth paying to take the English guided tour to see inside.
Tip:
Try and time your visit to be in the courtyard at an hour of the day between 9am and 5pm when the bell strikes the hour. There is a musical box effect with figures moving and music played, similar to other clocks in Munich and Prague.
Classes were conducted on the ground floor while the faculty occupied the higher floors as their residence. As the infrastructure grew, the Collegium Maius went on to become the first house of the University library. Today, the building is home to the Jagiellonian University Museum and exhibits the University's rich collection. Here, you can expect to see lecture rooms, communal halls, professors’ quarters, a library and a treasury containing rectors' Gothic maces and the Jagiellonian globe. Exhibits also include medieval scientific instruments, globes, paintings, collectibles, furniture, coins and medals.
Along with temporary exhibitions, the building also hosts an interactive educational show titled ‘The World of Senses’ which must not be missed. It elaborates the power of human understanding and you are sure to feel enlightened after watching the show.
Why You Should Visit:
It's free to look at the beautiful and ancient courtyard, but it's also well worth paying to take the English guided tour to see inside.
Tip:
Try and time your visit to be in the courtyard at an hour of the day between 9am and 5pm when the bell strikes the hour. There is a musical box effect with figures moving and music played, similar to other clocks in Munich and Prague.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Krakow. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Collegium Maius (Great College) on Map
Sight Name: Collegium Maius (Great College)
Sight Location: Krakow, Poland (See walking tours in Krakow)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Krakow, Poland (See walking tours in Krakow)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Krakow, Poland
Create Your Own Walk in Krakow
Creating your own self-guided walk in Krakow is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Jewish Heritage Tour in Krakow
The Jewish community has been an integral part of Krakow since the late 13th century. On the eve of World War II, there were 60,000 Jews living in the city, mostly in the historic Kazimierz neighborhood, which accounted for a quarter of the local population. The old town square in Kazimierz was the center of Jewish life.
During the war, the Nazis separated ethnic Jews from the rest of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
During the war, the Nazis separated ethnic Jews from the rest of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Krakow Introduction Walking Tour
A unique entry on the list of the World Heritage Sights, Krakow is a recognized center of the academic, artistic and cultural life of Poland. Established in the 7th century as a tiny hamlet at the top of the Wawel Hill, overlooking the Vistula River, it is one of the country's oldest cities. Over the course of the next fifteen centuries it has evolved into the nation's second-largest... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Historical House Museums Tour
Well-preserved historical buildings can often tell the stories of their city more vividly than any history book. Krakow, the old capital and cultural center of Poland, for many years, has been the home of many important Poles. Today, their former residences have been converted into house museums where visitors can learn about their inhabitants and see what life was like in the past.
One such... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
One such... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Historical Churches Walking Tour
Krakow, the center of religious life in Poland, was once considered “the Northern Rome” for its multitude of churches. Alongside the new temples continuing to appear in the city today, these remarkable sanctuaries, holding deep historical and cultural significance, still remain the most attractive and interesting to look at.
By far the most iconic of these is the Basilica of Saint Mary. A... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
By far the most iconic of these is the Basilica of Saint Mary. A... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles