I was sort of expecting more from this place. The history is interesting but it’s physically not that amazing

We entered the Old Town through the beautifully preserved Floriańska Gate, every morning and night, to get to and from our apartment. It was an amazing way to enter and leave the Old Town each day, knowing you were walking in the steps of so many people from centuries ago.

At the height of the cities fortifications there were eight gates, 47 towers and over 3 kilometres of wall at 9.5 metres high, plus an eight metre wide moat. The deteriorating fortifications were demolished by the occupying Austrians, in the 19th century, leaving only a portion of the wall, Floriańska Gate and the nearby three towers, Pasamoników, Stolarska, Ciesielska and the Barbican. Floriańska Gate was built around 1300 and the brick work was added in the 15th century, the same century also saw the gate connected to the Barbican, with a fortified corridor across a moat. The tower stands 34.5 metres high, this includes the one metre high Baroque metal piece with spire installed in 1660. On entering into the Old Town, there is the symbol of Poland and the House of Piast Coat of Arms, the white crowned eagle, carved in the 19th century. The other side has the colourful bas-relief of St. Florian, installed in the 18th century. The gate marked the entrance into the city for the Royal Route to Wawel.

The gate is worth seeking out, it is just near the Barbican, which is also worth going out of your way for.

St. Florian’s Gate is on a reasonably straight line when walking between the train station and Old Town. It’s not unusual to find one of the local musicians playing here.