The Hejnał Mariacki is a sound familiar in the city, drifting out across the square in the wake of
the hourly church bells, and halting abruptly in memory of the legendary watchman who was
shot in the throat with an arrow as he played to warn Cracovians of a Tartar attack.
Nowadays, the tune is played by members of Krakow’s fire service, who jokingly refer to their
instruments as like their wives – adding with due caution that wives are less likely to change
or wear out. The firefighters welcome visitors to watch them play, on Tuesdays, Thursdays
and Saturdays, and always draw such crowds as can squeeze into the room at the top of the
Mariacki tower. They are often asked to pose for photos, and sometimes even receive requests
for autographs.
The trumpets, though, wear out. And with the oldest having racked up 15 years service, the
major of Krakow Jacek Majchrowski has granted the money for two new instruments.
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