Collegium Maius

Jagiellonian University’s oldest building (and one of the oldest in Kraków), Collegium Maius (Latin: Main College) was built as the university’s main campus in the late 14th century, 36 years after the university’s founding. A century later it was redesigned as the late-Gothic structure surrounding the picturesque arcaded courtyard that has survived to this day. While professors lived and worked upstairs, it was in the ground floor lecture halls that Nicolaus Copernicus made doodles in the margins of his notebooks in the 1490s while developing the critical faculties that would later lead to his utter deconstruction of man’s understanding of the universe.

Today a museum, hour-long tours in English of the interiors and exhibits are given Mon-Fri at 13:00, while 30min tours in English are also available most weekdays until 13:00; go to their website to see what times are available. Visiting without a guide is also possible Mon 10:00-16:00, Tue-Fri 13:30-16:00 and Sat 10:00-15:00. Inside you'll see the lecture hall (aula), old refectory, professors’ quarters, library and treasury, observing some fabulous interiors, paintings, furniture, medieval scientific instruments, rectors’ maces and other university memorabilia along the way, as well as the oldest surviving globe to depict the Americas.

Another highlight of visiting is the courtyard clock, from which wooden historical figures appear and parade past to music from the mid-16th century every two hours between 09:00 and 17:00. There are typically temporary exhibits to enquire about as well (with their own pricing and opening hours; can be visited independently). The building's courtyard also houses a gift shop and cafe, and don't miss the peaceful Professors' Garden just next door (accessible via 'Estreicher's Alley' - a beautiful painted passageway - from April until mid-October).

Average visiting time: 45mins.