Krakow’s Medieval Weekend. Looking Back at the Jagiellonian Picnic
- cruisingkrakow
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Last weekend, Kraków revisited its medieval roots at the Jagiellonian picnic, just one of the city’s many festivals and cultural events. From Friday 21 to Sunday 23 August, the banks of the Vistula river under the Wawel castle hosted concerts, workshops, and a market with tasty treats, immersing its guests in Kraków’s medieval past. Best of all, it was completely free!
The market with local crafts and delicacies was held on the boulevard under the castle, looking out across the river; while the concerts and workshops took place in the large square across from the castle, Plac Wielkiej Armii Napoleona, a spot our bike tours cycle past every day. The Jagiellonian Picnic takes its name from the Jagiellonian dynasty, the long line of Polish kings and queens between the 14th to 16th centuries, descending from the original king Jagiełło. This was the golden era of medieval kings and so is a fitting name for a festival celebrating all things medieval.
On Friday and Saturday, folk musicians Szelindek, Korale, Kapela zza Miedzy, Scyzoryki, Kapela Żmij, Ukoja, and Daj Ognia played. Szelindek, in particular drew a crowd for its use of traditional polish folk instruments and music originating from the region. The craft market sold food like pierogi, soups, sausages, and beer, as well as local goods like ceramics, jewellery, and flower wreaths. Also taking place were a series of free workshops where visitors could paint mugs, make candles, create wreaths, and make prints of traditional Polish patterns on tote-bags.
The festival’s last day, Sunday, was the biggest of the three. Guests could watch the medieval reenactments, listen to the traditional tunes, and try the tasty medieval snacks, in an atmosphere stolen from hundreds of years ago. From 16:30, came the final round of concerts, including Scyzoryki, Band from Beyond, Viper, and Mandragora Fire Theatre, closing the festival out in style.
If you missed it, don’t worry! Krakow’s festival season isn’t over yet. Between the open-air concerts in the city’s main town square, riverside events along the Vistula, and the food markets which pop up around the city, there’s rarely a quiet weekend here. It’s part of why seeing the city by bike is so rewarding: history, music, and food, all within pedalling distance. Keep an eye on the Krakow city’s event calendar for information about upcoming events, and if you’re after a two-wheeled way to see the city, our expert-guided tours or bike rentals will get you there.
Zoe at Cruising Krakow
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