The Planty were created between 1822 and 1830, after the decision to demolish the medieval fortifications, which had lost their military value and fallen into disrepair. The moat was filled in and the strip of ground turned into a walking garden. The scheme was led by Feliks Radwański, the same man who saved the Florian Gate.
The ring runs about four kilometres and encircles the Old Town completely. It is divided into several gardens of different character, each laid out separately, and holds several hundred species of trees and shrubs.
The name comes from the word used at the time for plantings. A full circuit takes under an hour and is a good way to get the shape of the city clear in your head.