Krakow imposes silence on tourists

30th May 2009

Visitors to Krakow could soon find themselves facing fines if they do not observe five minutes of silence every hour.



The city council says it wants tourists and other passers-by to stop talking and for restaurants to turn off their music for a five-minute period of silence to pay respect to the Hejnal hymn, which is played every hour, every day, of every week, of every month, of every year.

The new regulation, expected to come into effect next month, will be enforced by City Guards (Straz Mieski) who have been instructed to start giving out fines to anyone caught talking during the anthem, also known as the Krakovian Hymn, which is played from the highest tower of St. Mary’s Church ...