It ended in the victory of the Mongol forces, who captured the city and burned it, massacring most of its residents.
In early February 1241, some ten thousand Mongol warriors concentrated near Wlodzimierz Wolynski, and entered Lesser Poland.
When news of Polish losses reached the city, its residents fled in panic to Silesia, Bohemia and Germany.
According to a popular-20th century legend, a Polish sentry on a tower of St. Mary's Church sounded the alarm by playing the Hejnał, and the city gates were closed before the Mongols could ambush.
On 31 March 1241 the Mongols set Kraków on fire; the next day they left the city, heading towards Silesia.