ul. Krupnicza

ul. Krupnicza , Old Town 13 Sep 2023

One of Kraków's most charming streets, Krupnicza stretches from ul. Karmelicka at the busy tram stop next to the Bagatela Theatre to Aleja Mickiewcza. Historially this street ran from the Szewska Gate to a tributary of the Rudawa River which was filled in to become ul. Dolnych Młynów in the interwar period. Gardeners, tanners and potters first settled here in the 15th century and the street was known as ul. Garncarska (Pottery Street) until around 1836 when it got its current name thanks to the groats (krupa) milled along the river. Due to several fires, the last and perhaps largest of which occured in 1850, most of the buildings visible along ul. Krupnicza today were built in the late 19th century.

The Writers' House (Dom Literatów), ul. Krupnicza 22.

Notable buildings and residents

The street has a historical connotation with Kraków's literary and artisitic life, with many notable residents having taken up quarters here, including famous painters Jan Matejko at no. 3 (his children were born there), Henryk Rodakowski at no. 5, Jacek Malczewski at no. 8 and Leon Wyczółkowski at no. 21. The Polish Writers' Union was located at no. 22 from 1945-95, during which period literary luminaries such as Wisława Szymborska, Sławomir Mrożek, Tadeusz Różewicz and many others all lived upstairs at various times, making it become known as the 'House of 40 Bards.'

Celebrated painter and writer Stanisław Wyspiański was born at no. 26, and the house was then later owned by his contemporary Józef Mehoffer, who turned it into one of the city's leading literary salons during the Art Nouveau era; today the building can be visited as the Józef Mehoffer Museum, and there is a small food truck park next door.

Hidden garden of the Mehoffer House, ul. Krupnicza 26; photo by Albert Herring.

The Groteska Theatre can be found at ul. Skarbowa 2, next to Polish painter Wojciech Weiss' villa at no. 31, and Jagiellonian University's modern Auditorium Maximum performance hall at no. 33. Across the street one finds the small Paradox cinema at no. 38, while the Austrian consulate occupies the villa next door at no. 42.

Kraków's first 'woonerf'

Today ul. Krupnicza, particularly the eastern part stretching from ul. Dolnych Młynów to ul Karmelicka, is lined with charming cafes, restaurants and shops. In 2023, the initial block from ul. Loretańska to Bagatela Theatre was transformed into Kraków's first 'woonerf' - a 'living street' specifically tailored to the needs and comfort of residents and pedestrians. The street was resurfaced to remove curbs, blooming cherry trees were being planted along both sides from Bagatela to ul. Loretańska and black adler trees were planted from there to ul. Szujskiego where car traffic is limited (39 trees in total). The street also features 55 places for plants along the facades of the buildings, plus benches, bike parking and more. One of the only pedestrianised streets in Kraków outside of the Planty, ul. Krupnicza is also one of its most attractive and appealing for an afternoon stroll. Check it out.