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Hourly bugle call from the tower of St Mary’s Church in Krakow
Every full hour a golden trumpet shows above Krakow’s central Grand Square (Rynek Glowny) in the west window just below the
spire of the higher tower of the Basilica of the Virgin Mary's.
Then a characteristic signal trumpet melody, known and dear to
every Pole, resounds all over the city’s Old Town historical
district. All of a sudden music comes to an abrupt end. Next the
same bugle call is played towards the east, the south and the
north. At noon the whole ritual has been broadcast on the Polish
national radio since the 1920s.
St. Mary's bugle call and trumpeter
from Krakow
The Krakow signal bugle call, or Hejnal
Mariacki, dates back to the Middle Ages when it was announcing
the opening and the closing of the city gates. The bugler also
played it to alarm his fellow citizens whenever he saw a fire or
the enemy forces. And the melody abrupt ending is said to
commemorate a trumpeter from Krakow who was shot through his
throat by a Tatar archer in 1241 when the Mongols besieged the
city.
Click here to listen to the Krakow Signal
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Basilica of the
Virgin Mary's
The immense Gothic church, Krakow's principal temple
since the 13th century, shelters many world-class works of art.
Great Altar
The world's greatest Gothic sculpture
The Crown
Royal giant headdress tops the city of Krakow since
1666
Krakow churches
Krakow numerous churches are architectural gems, art
hoards, and spiritual hubs
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