The end of Krakow’s blue pretzel carts?
The distinctive blue kiosks selling Krakow’s classic pretzels (obwarzanki) will soon be swept into the crumb-heap of history, Polish-language site LoveKrakow reports.
The city has announced a competition to design an alternative model to replace them, which they hope will be more aesthetically in line with the Italian Renaissance-inspired Old Town.
In addition to appearing more befitting of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, new cart designs must also be practical – lightweight and able to protect sellers from the elements.
The first-place winner will be awarded 30,000 PLN. Second and third place will get 6,000 PLN and 4,000 PLN, respectively.
The jury is accepting applications to participate until April 6th, and the design deadline is April 17th – although unfortunately it is only open to Polish citizens with training in art or architecture. You can find the full regulations (in Polish) here.
Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the award amounts.
Nice to hear about the competition for the best design. But what about adoption by the actual sellers? Will that also be covered by the city? What would be the incentives if any of the sellers refuse to go along with the City’s plan?
I spend a lot if time in krakow and i am afraid every city is becoming hamoginised all places will eventually be the same under the guise iif eu protection for the worker , why the hell should hrakiw look the same as italy, if i wany to see that i will visit ltaly?.
I believe the carts belong to the city,not to the vendors.Therefore the sellers do not have a say about whether they like it or not,in the same vain as bus drivers do not decide on busses’ design. Luckilly,as it comes to the safety and comfort of work of those poor souls,it can only get better with the new design.They stand there, in blistering cold or rain with no protection from it,earning less than 2 euros/ pounds an hour. It’s lovely,that you thought they would be entitled to an opinion.New,lighter carts,with protection from elements will surely be better,though.