Blonia Meadow

Blonia is a flat, open meadow of about 48 hectares just west of the Old Town, one of the largest grassed spaces of its kind so close to a European city centre. It has no formal gardens or paths cutting across it, just a wide green field ringed by a walking and cycling loop. For centuries it was common grazing land, and today it is where Krakow comes to picnic, run, fly kites and gather for its biggest public events.

Blonia is the city's breathing space. It is a short walk from the Old Town yet feels open and unhurried, with room to spread out that the packed centre never offers. Come to walk or jog the perimeter, lie on the grass, or watch the city use it, from morning runners to weekend football. When Krakow hosts a concert, mass or festival, this is usually where it happens.

The main draw is simply the space. The surfaced loop around the edge is popular with runners, cyclists and inline skaters, and the open middle is left for picnics, ball games and sunbathing. There is little shade on the field itself, so bring cover in summer. The green ring of the Planty and the paths along the Rudawa link Blonia to the rest of the western parks, making it an easy anchor for a longer walk or ride.

The meadow's recorded story goes back to 1162, when the land was given to the Norbertine order. In 1366 the nuns exchanged it with the city, and for centuries it served as common pasture, with cattle from nearby villages grazing here; the last of them into the 1970s. The low ground was prone to flooding from the Rudawa until it was drained, after which it became suitable for large gatherings. It is best known for the open-air masses celebrated by Pope John Paul II, drawing enormous crowds, and later by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006.

A loop of the perimeter takes around half an hour on foot. Most people come for longer, to picnic or exercise, so an hour or two is typical. It fits naturally into a walk that also takes in the Planty and the river.

Late spring through early autumn is when the meadow is busiest and greenest. Mornings and early evenings are best for running or a quiet picnic. Check the city's event listings before you go, as Blonia hosts concerts, fairs and races that can close off large sections or draw big crowds on certain dates.

Blonia lies about 700 metres west of the Old Town, an easy fifteen-minute walk from the Main Market Square through the Planty and past the National Museum. Several tram lines stop nearby. For routes across the city, see the Krakow guide.

The perimeter path is flat and surfaced, which suits wheelchairs, prams and skaters. The open field is grass and can be soft or muddy after rain. There is no natural shade in the middle, so plan for sun in summer.

Blonia sits among the city's western green spaces:

• Zakrzowek, the flooded quarry and swimming park, further south-west.
• Wolski Forest, the large city woodland with trails and the zoo, to the west.
• Kopiec Kosciuszki, the viewpoint mound on the hill above, reachable on a longer walk.

The meadow covers about 48 hectares, making it one of the largest open green spaces this close to a European city centre. A walk around the edge is roughly a couple of kilometres.

Blonia was common grazing land for centuries, so it was never laid out as a formal park. That open character is why it now hosts the city's largest gatherings, including the papal masses of John Paul II and, in 2006, Benedict XVI.

Yes. The flat, surfaced loop around the meadow is one of the most popular running and cycling routes in the city, and the open field is used for picnics and casual sport.