The Barbican (Barbakan), Krakow

The Barbican guards the city of Krakow. This mighty structure is an excellent example of a building that is deeply embedded in the history of the city and displays its lavish architecture. You can learn about Krakow as you walk along the 10 feet thick walls and stroll inside the inner courtyard.

The Barbican was built for purposes of safeguarding the city of Krakow from those who dared to put a bad eye on its security. With a 3 meter thick wall, it was well designed to accommodate 130 crenels in four rows. The lower crenels were used by artillery and the higher ones were used by archers and riflemen.

With seven turrets, the Barbican acted as the perfect outpost protecting the city. This Gothic-style fortification was built in the late 15th century and is more of the Arabic style rather than a European-style military structure. It was initially linked to the inner city wall.

Today one can take time to watch some of the finest exhibits the city has to display at the Barbican. From classical concerts to dances, exhibitions, and reenactments, the Barbican is the perfect place where you can enjoy the building’s immense historical presence while listening to music or watching a story unwind before your very own eyes.

Tip:
Make sure you book the outdoor shows in advance or you'll miss out!