Kraków's Barbican is one of only three such fortified outposts still surviving in Europe and considered to be the best-preserved. Built at the end of the 15th century, the Gothic-style Barbican features seven turrets and includes 130 defensive slots used by archers. This fortified outpost was once surrounded by a moat and connected to the Floriańska Gate by a drawbridge serving as a gateway leading into the Old Town of Kraków.
Today, the Barbican in Krakow is one of the few remaining defensive barriers that encircled the royal city and is a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow. This popular tourist attraction houses the permanent exhibition of the Krakow Museum and is used for open-air events.
Step inside to see displays outlining the fortification's historical development or join a guided tour of Krakow's Old Town to hear the history of the Barbican and the Old City Walls.
