The Rękawka is back! After a two-year break caused by the pandemic, on April 19, a Slavic settlement will reappear on the Krakus Mound, which will take the guests to the Middle Ages. The motto of this year's edition is "Krakow Legeds and Myths".
The traditional Rękawka Festival is a kind of time machine, a journey through time. Anyone who goes to the Krakus Mound that day, when they get there, has the impression that they have entered a different era. This is due to the costumes, assortment and, above all, the warriors who recreate life in early medieval settlements - says Anna Grabowska, director of the Podgórze Cultural Center.
Reconstruction groups from all over Poland and abroad will appear at this year's festival. According to the theme, there will be interesting productions: "Killing the Wawel Dragon - alternative versions", "The Legend of the Bad Princess of Podgórze" and "The Legend of the Creation of the World".
The event will traditionally begin with a fire ceremony. After it, armed warriors will run around the Krak's Mound, and then present their teams.
The climax of the Traditional Rękawka Festival will be the battle of the Vistula People with the invaders, which will begin at 4 p.m. Two powerful armies will face each other. They will fight for victory using swords, axes and shields.
The Krakus Mound will host, among others, deities of the wind, the Serpent King, known as the Villain, the envious witch of Marcych, the Godling (protective spirits) or mischievous imps. Of course, there will also be the legendary Prince Krak. Mythical characters will be happy to share legends related to Krakow.
Tourists will be able to try medieval delicacies and see how people were dressed at that time. There will also be some musical accents.
The organizers invite to two concerts of medieval music performed by "the Daj Ognia" group, which draws on Scandinavian and Polish folk music. For the youngest, there is a play zone set in the Middle Ages - "Czędowe igry".
Guests will be able to buy stylized souvenir gadgets, produced at the request of the Podgórze Cultural Center. Among them there will be socks with an original pattern, mugs from the Slavic village and many other "rękawka" gadgets.
The traditional Rękawka Festival will be held on April 19 at 11.30-18.00.
In program:
11.30 am | The entrance of the warriors to the Krakus Mound
12.00 am | The rite of lighting a fire on the Krakus Mound
12.30 am | A course of warriors in full armor around the Mound
1 pm | Introducing the teams
1.40 pm| The staging of "Killing the Wawel Dragon alternative versions"
2.10 pm | Concert of the band Daj Ognia (part 1) medieval music
2.45 pm| Good luck for the city of Krakow
3.00 pm | "The Legend of the Bad Princess from Podgórze" staging
4.00 pm | Clash of two armies: Vistula versus invaders
5.00 pm | "The Legend of the Creation of the World" - staging
5.30 pm | Concert of the band Daj Ognia (part 2) medieval music
Moreover
Slavic settlement (historical camp)
Prince Krak's "throne room"
Art, handicraft and traditional food market
A grove inhabited by characters from clergy and tales
Pre-Christian Temple (Gontyna)
Play zone for children (12.00 am-6.00 pm)
Game zone
Official gadgets from Rękawka - see and buy
The stand of the Podgórze Cultural Center
The stand of the District Council of XIII Podgórze
Thematic stand of the Archaeological Museum in Krakow
exhibitions "About the Krak's Mound in tradition and research", "Old and new", "Krakow's oldest churches"
archaeological curiosities related to the Krak's Mound
drawing competition "Mound as painted" and other attractions for children
Thematic stand of the Krakow Museum - Podgórze Museum
walk "From Rękawka to Rękawka - the history of the oldest holiday" (collection at 2 p.m. at the tent of the Podgórze Museum)
free admission to the permanent exhibition "City under Krak Mound" at the Podgórze Museum from 10.00 am-5.00pm
presentation of archival photographs from the Rękawka Festival from the collection of the Krakow Museum and a short history of the Rękawka Festival during the Museum's opening hours (every two hours 10.00, 12.00, 14.00, 16.00)
Stand of the Podgórze.pl Association
Official website of the event (PL only)
Back
Discover Krakow - former capital of Poland - quickly and comfortably in an eco-friendly electric car. Great alternative for a walking tour. Learn about the city’s most important landmarks and its history. Discover the top things to see in Krakow and find out what makes this city truly worth visiting. Take advantage of ending the Krakow city tour at the famous Schindler's Factory or returning to the starting point.
Duration: 2h
Audio Guide
Transportation included
Book tickets in advance for Schindler's Factory - one of best museums in Krakow, to enjoy the convenience of skip-the-line entry. This allows for a hassle-free touring experience, avoiding the possibility of sold-out tickets and long wait times for entry. Plan your visiti in Oskar Schindler's factory today!
Duration: 2h
Skip-theLineTransportation includedVisit the Schindler's Factory Museum with a professional guide and learn about Krakow's history under Nazi occupation. This tour provides not only insights into the story made famous by the movie Schindler's List but also offers a wider perspective on Krakow during the 1939-1945 occupation, life in the ghetto, and the Holocaust, enriched by the guide's commentary. Experience installations depicting the various emotions, evoking a deep understanding of this period.
Duration: 2hLive guideSkip-theLineTransportation includedA day full of adrenaline at the shooting range in Krakow! We offer three exciting weapon and ammunition packages to choose from. Under the guidance of an experienced instructor, you'll have the opportunity to feel the thrill of shooting. Choose your package and immerse yourself in an unforgettable shooting adventure!
Duration: 1h - 4hTransportation includedWe have been active as a tourist operator in Cracow for 14 years and in that time we have served over a million customers! The resulting experience has allowed us to set up a tight-knit team to ensure that our tours are perfect in every detail. As we co-operate closely with tour companies, we are able to provide our customers with professionally organised tours hosted by experienced guides who are passionate about sharing their extensive knowledge of Cracow and places of interest in the area, such as-Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mine. We also specialise in organising premium tours, such as private tours of the most beautiful sites in the Małopolska region. We will be happy to plan your day in Zakopane, the Pieniny Mountains or Częstochowa. We also provide airport transfers and other transport services for passengers. Our modern fleet will make sure you travel in comfort and enjoy the touring experience. Each of our employees is fluent in English. We use modern booking systems operated by an experienced team of dispatchers. We work every day to earn our customers’ trust and make sure they get maximum value for money.
