In the 14th century Kraków had 42 named streets. The earliest references in documents are about Grodzka, Wiślna, Floriańska, Bracka and Sławkowska. By the beginning of the 19th century the names of the streets had been spontaneously devised by the city inhabitants usually on the basis of topography and tradition.
Bracka
Thanks to the song by Grzegorz Turnau the whole Poland already knows that there is such street in Kraków. A short cobblestone street leading from the Main Market Square (between Wiślna and Grodzka) towards Franciszkańska Street.
Floriańska
One of the best known streets in the City. It leads from Pijarska Street (near the Planty) to the Main Market Square. It is the beginning of the so-called Royal Road (Floriańska – Main Market Square – Grodzka – Wawel).
Grodzka
Grodzka is the only street that disrupts the regular network of the medieval city establishment.
Jagiellońska
It connects the short Olszewskiego Street in the vicinity of the Planty with the Szczepański Square. It crosses the very heart of the old university district.
Kanonicza
For many it is the most beautiful street of the Old Town. It runs parallely to Grodzka connecting Senacka Street and Podzamcze.
Mikołajska
It passes from the Main Market Square to Westerplatte Street towards the old suburbs of Kraków, Wesoła Street. Right next to Planty there is the Dominican Convent in Gródek with the Church of Our Lady of the Snow.
Sienna
It starts at the Main Market Square leading towards Starowiślna Street. The more interesting cobblestone fragment passes next to the Little Rynek to Św. Krzyża Street.
Sławkowska
It leads from the Main Market Square towards Długa Street following the old Silesian route. At the corner of Św. Marka Street one’s attention is drawn by the vast brick solid of the Church of St. Mark.
Stolarska
Short street joining the Little Market and Sienna Street with Dominikański Square and Dominikańska Street. It accommodates the diplomatic posts of Germany, France and the United States.
Szewska
It connects the Main Market Square with the crossroad of the Podwale, Dunajewskiego and Karmelicka Streets. Before the city walls were demolished and Planty Park was marked out there had been a tower with a gate here.
Szpitalna
Parallel to Floriańska, it connects the Little Market and Mikołajska Street with Św. Ducha Square and Basztowa Street. The tallest building that attracts one’s eye during a walk along Szpitalna is the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre.
Św. Anny
It connects the Main Market Square with Podwale Street. Crossing Jagiellońska Street, it runs through the area of the old university district. What is worth noting is the 17th century Nowodworski College and the magnificent (academic) Baroque Church of St. Anne.
Św. Jana
Parallel to Floriańska, it connects the Main Market Square with Pijarska Street. The obvious sightseeing direction leads from the Main Market Square towards the remarkable facade of the late-Baroque Piarist Church closing the street.
Wiślna
One can walk along this street from the Main Market Square to Olszewskiego Street and Planty Park (fountain) and further to Franciszkańska Street. The short Wiślna Street one can find both shops and valuable historical buildings.
