The Main Market Square of Kraków is also known as Rynek Krakowski. It dates back to the 13th century and is the largest (200 by 200 meter square) medieval town square in Europe. The main landmarks of the Main Market square are the St. Mary’s Basilica (Kosciól Mariacki), the Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) and the St. Adalbert’s Church.
The Old Town is where most visitors of Krakow will begin their tour of the city, and where many of the key landmarks are to be found. Since 1989, it has undergone a major transformation, and the place is now really getting into its stride. Cafes, restaurants and shops are flourishing, whilst the black soot that cloaked much of the city has been painstakingly removed.
The area of the Old City of Krakow is bounded by the ring of lightly-forested parkland, known as the Planty, that used to mark the Old City walls and moat. The Wawel, the long-fortified hill at the southern end of the Krakow Old City, overlooks the River Vistula, and forms an integral part of this district. The centre of the Old City (and of Krakow itself) is the Rynek Glowny (the Main Marketplace) from which all the main streets radiate.