We wrote about the planned planting of trees in Krakow’s Main Square back in 2022. Now documentation has been produced that indicates specific locations and tree species. The provincial conservator of monuments has already issued a positive opinion on the green changes. Planting is expected to start in spring 2026.
Trees will appear, among others, in the vicinity of St Adalbert’s Church, the town hall, along the frontage of the market square and next to the fountain.
This is an important step towards the greening of Krakow’s market square. Thanks to the matter-of-fact and very detailed work of the expert team, we were able to create the conditions that led to us obtaining a positive opinion from the conservation officer. This also means that we will be able to realise the will of the inhabitants expressed in the civic budget, while at the same time preserving the historical character of the heart of our city,” said Stanisław Mazur, deputy mayor of Krakow, during a press conference.
The conference was organised because of a study prepared by experts from the Cracow University of Technology together with the Board of Urban Greenery. They prepared guidelines that define how and where to plant new trees. The collected documentation was given a positive opinion by the conservator of monuments, whose approval is important because of the historic nature of the site.
The study proposes solutions that will protect the historical value of Krakow’s Market Square, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and at the same time will make it possible to meet the needs of Krakow’s residents and visitors, i.e. to introduce more greenery into this space,” said Professor Andrzej Szarata, Rector of the Krakow University of Technology.
The experts took into account the issue of protecting the relics located underground, the historic structure of the surroundings, the impact on the skyline and the composition of the space. They decided that the trees would be planted in five locations: around St Adalbert’s Church, near the Town Hall Tower. along the frontage of the square, in the vicinity of the fountain and on the western side of the square, where a row of trees will appear.
The experts identified five tree species that best suit the specific requirements of this location. The first of these is the white robinia ‘Unifoliola’, a tree with a tradition of presence in the market, which copes well with urban conditions. Another is the field maple ‘Elsrijk’, a native species that is resistant to drought and salinity. Surrounding St. Adalbert’s Church will be the pedunculate oak ‘Monument’, in columnar form, valued for its durability and reduced spatial requirements. On the eastern side of the Cloth Hall, small-leaved lindens (‘Greenspire’, ‘Brabant’) and silver lindens are planned. These are species with a centuries-old tradition in the Polish landscape,” emphasise the authors.
The first plantings are planned for spring 2026.
source: UM Kraków, Radio Kraków
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