The Knife in the Cloth Hall in Krakow

The knife placed under the vault of the Cloth Hall in Kraków has an interesting history and a legend connected to the construction of St. Mary's Basilica during the reign of Prince Bolesław the Chaste. The legend speaks of two brothers who worked on the church towers; the younger brother, jealous of the older one's superiority, killed him with a knife and then committed suicide by jumping from the tower. The tragic event was meant to serve as a warning against fratricidal strife and to explain the difference in height between the towers. The modern knife hanging on a chain in the Cloth Hall is a replica of the original iron knife. During World War II, there was a risk that the knife would be taken by the Germans as a "pro-German weapon." After the war, it was repeatedly stolen by tourists, which adds to its fascination and cultural value. The knife has become not only a significant element in the architecture of the Cloth Hall but also a symbol of tragic past events and a warning for future generations.