Collegium Maius: Kraków’s Oldest University Building

Collegium Maius is the oldest building of the Jagiellonian University — founded in 1364 and one of the oldest universities in Europe — and one of the loveliest corners of Kraków’s Old Town. Behind its Gothic façade lies an arcaded courtyard that feels centuries away from the busy streets outside, and a museum full of the instruments with which Kraków once studied the heavens. For the wider picture, see our Kraków travel guide and Kraków museums guide.

The courtyard

The heart of Collegium Maius is its late-Gothic arcaded courtyard, with a well, carved doorways and an ornate clock on which figures appear to music several times a day. You can step into the courtyard freely during opening hours; it is one of the quietest, most atmospheric spots in the centre and a favourite for photographs.

The museum

Upstairs, the University Museum preserves the historic lecture halls, the professors’ common room and a remarkable collection of scientific instruments — astrolabes, globes and clocks — including items linked to the university’s most famous student, the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. Among its treasures is the Jagiellonian Globe, one of the earliest to show the Americas. The interiors are visited on a guided tour, which brings the rooms and objects to life.

Practical tips

• Courtyard vs museum. The courtyard is free to enter; the historic interiors require a ticket and are seen on a timed guided tour — book ahead, as places are limited.
• Catch the clock. The courtyard clock plays at set times during the day; check the board by the entrance.
• Find it. It is a short walk west of the Main Market Square, on Jagiellońska Street.
• Combine it with the Main Market Square and the Royal Route nearby.

Frequently asked questions