One-stage competition for the development of the concept of architectural and sculptural form and implementation of the reconstruction of the fountain in the Main Square in Krakow

organizer: Municipality of Krakow | investor: Municipality of Krakow

The Municipality of Krakow, together with the Board of Water Infrastructure in Krakow, is looking for a design for a fountain in the Main Square in Krakow. The new facility is to replace the "Crystal" fountain, which has been closed for years and was built in 2010. {More}

The Municipality of Krakow, together with the Board of Water Infrastructure in Krakow, is looking for a design for a fountain in the Main Square in Krakow. The new facility is to replace the "Crystal" fountain, which has been out of use for years, created in 2010.

purpose

The purpose of the competition is to conduct the broadest possible confrontation of creative design ideas, concerning the subject of the competition, and for the Competition Jury to select the most appropriate solution for the fountain on the Main Square in Krakow.

conditions

The competition is an unlimited, one-stage and implementation competition.

The subject of the competition is to develop a concept of the architectural and sculptural form of the fountain on the Main Square in Cracow.

The project should take into account the conservation guidelines: "the newly designed fountain should fit into the historical character of the place and the representative functions of the Main Square, co-creating its identity".

The design of the new fountain in the Main Square in Krakow should assume the use of high-quality materials with subdued colors, referring to the historical buildings of Krakow. The rules of the competition allow references to the so-called Professor Zin's fountain from 1964, and include sculptural elements, but should not use colorful illuminations.

The new fountain in Krakow's Old Town is to ensure the object's perception by people with limited mobility, and may also be equipped with seats and a see-through element, allowing a glimpse into the space of the underground museum under the market plate.

The authors of the competition rules prefer solutions that favor easy maintenance and operation of the facility.

The maximum planned cost of the project cannot exceed PLN 4,500,000 gross.

For more information, see the competition regulations and relevant appendices.

prizes

First Prize - 40 thousand PLN gross and an invitation to negotiate a sole-source contract to provide a service based on the winning competition work.
II Prize - 30 thousand PLN gross
III Prize - 20 thousand PLN gross.

calendar

Announcement of the competition - April 20, 2026
Requests for clarification of the content of the regulations - until May 15, 2026
Acceptance of the electronic form of the competition works - until May 29, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Acceptance of the physical form of the competition works - until May 29, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
Sessions of the Competition Jury - June 8-9, 2026
Announcement of competition results - until June 12, 2026
Invitation to negotiate on a negotiated basis - until June 29, 2026

competition court

Janusz Sepioł - Chief Architect of the City, Office of the City Architect of the City of Krakow - chairman of the Competition Jury
Marcin Włodarczyk - SARP Kraków - judge referee
Marta Kutniowska - City Architect, Office of the City Architect of the Municipality of Krakow
Michał Niezabitowski - director of the Museum of Krakow
Jan Tutaj - Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow
Katarzyna Urbańska - Malopolska Voivodeship Conservator of Monuments, Malopolska Voivodeship Office for the Protection of Monuments in Krakow
Szymon Wojciechowski - Pracownia APA Wojciechowski Architekci
Beata Kondel - acting director of the Board of Water Infrastructure in Krakow

Dorota Bochenek - Office of the City Architect of the City of Cracow - competition secretary
Paulina Mol - Office of the City Architect of the City of Krakow - competition secretary assistant