10 Churches in Krakow You Must Visit For A Holy Experience!

Krakow Churches

1. Wawel Cathedral
2. St. Mary Basilica

3. Piarist Church

4. Saints Peter and Paul Church
5. Church of St. Wojciech
6. St Joseph’s Church
7. Church of St Anne
8. Church of the Holy Saviour
9. The Lord's Ark church
10. Basilica of the Holy Trinity

The magnificent churches in Krakow are certainly worthy of a journey as they are the visible manifestations of more than 1,000 years of workmanship and beauty. Krakow never loses sight of its roots despite its urbanisation. Churches and other places of worship in the town are clear examples of how the community retains its rich culture and traditions. The number of churches in Krakow is enormous and some of the best churches to visit include Wawel Cathedral, St. Joseph’s Church, The Lord’s Ark church and many more.

The fact that no two churches have the same features is equally stunning. There is something to admire in every church because each one boasts a distinctive trait. In the past, Krakow was known as "the Northern Rome" due to its profusion of exquisite cathedrals and plenty of monasteries and convents. They have continued to be the hubs of spiritual activity, with heavy occupancy on Sundays and weekdays alike.

Here is the list of best churches in Krakow:

01

Wawel Cathedral

Wawel Cathedral, created by artist and architect Bartolomeo Berrecci, is famed for its lengthy past. Its history is unmatched by any other churches in Krakow.

The chapel is seen as a symbol of American history. Almost all of Poland's kings and national heroes, including Tadeusz Kosciuszko and Jozef Pilsudski, are buried in the cathedral's crypt.

Aside from the chapel's rich history, historians and culture vultures will be astounded by its beauty. The iconic Sigismund Bell may be seen at Wawel Cathedral, where you can also learn about the location of Polish rulers' graves.

Location: Wawel 3, 31-001 Kraków, Poland

Timing: Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Sunday: 12:30 am to 3:30 pm

02

St. Mary Basilica

A stunning example of how various architectural styles may coexist is this Virgin Mary dedication. Together, these styles create a unique, ageless building that serves as a model for many other churches in Krakow.

The church's exterior is made up of two tall, unequal towers, one of which is built in the Gothic style and the other in the Renaissance style. The Gothic tower is proud of its spectacular, 81-metre-tall spire, which was constructed in 1478 and includes a gold-plated crown.

The other tower, which is 69 metres tall and was built in 1592, has a Renaissance-style roof.

Location: Plac Mariacki 5, 31-042 Kraków, Poland

Timing: Monday to Saturday 11:30am to 6pm, on Sundays 2pm to 6pm

Entry Fees: 5-10 PLN

03

Piarist Church

Together with the Piarists' neighbouring monastery, the Piarist Church forms a religious complex. The late Rococo church, which was constructed between 1718 and 1761, is clearly inspired by the Gesù Church, the home church of the Jesuits.

Two monastery wings, one of which has been renovated in a neo-Gothic style and is now home to a portion of the Czartoryski Museum, are situated on either side of the central shrine. Franz Eckstein's paintings and Chrystian Bol's stucco work can be found inside the church.

Location: Pijarska 2, 31-015 , Krakow, Poland

04

Saints Peter And Paul Church

With its spotless exterior and well-known collection of life-size sculptures of the 12 disciples placed along the church's perimeter fence, Sts. Peter and Paul's Church stands out among other churches in Krakow.

The Church was built in the 16th and 17th centuries with a great concept in mind, which is presumably why it was the first Polish structure in the Baroque style.

The Church of Gesu in Rome appears to have had a significant impact on the architecture. Additionally, the Church is home to Poland's longest Foucault pendulum, which is displayed every Thursday.

Location: Grodzka 52A, 31-044 Kraków, Poland

Timing: Monday to Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Sunday 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm

05

Church Of St. Wojciech

On Krakow's Main Square, there is a tiny church called Church of St. Adalbert (St. Wojciech). It is about halfway between Grodzka Street and the Cloth Hall.

The Church of St. Adalbert, which was constructed in the eleventh century, is one of the oldest stone churches of Krakow and a revered historical site. It was built about two centuries before the Main Square was built in 1257.

It was allegedly constructed on the exact site where the missionary preached. The church has been a place of worship for a thousand years, and both merchants and aristocracy have frequented it.

Location: plac Mariacki, 31-042 Kraków, Poland

Timings: Mass times: Saturday - 4:00 pm
Sunday - 9:00 am & 11:00 am

06

St Joseph’s Church

A well-liked destination for those who enjoy architecture is St. Joseph's Church. The cathedral was built between 1905 and 1909 and was the creation of Jan Sas Zubrzycki.

St. Joseph's Church is one of Krakow's most lavishly ornamented facades, with a clock tower that rises 80 metres high, well-carved gargoyles and saint sculptures, and exquisite masonry dressing. It is breathtaking to see this neo-gothic church.

A shrine with a statue of Saint Joseph is located inside. Other saints' sculptures, such as those of Saint Joachim and Saint Anna, are located just next to it.

Location: Jana Zamoyskiego 2, 30-523 Krakow, Poland

Timing: 8:30 am to 6:00 pm everyday

07

Church Of St Anne

The Roman Catholic Church of St. Anne is located in Kraków, Poland's historic district, which is under UNESCO protection. Although it was one of Tylman van Gameren's most notable works of Polish Baroque architecture, the church's origins can be traced back to the 14th century.

It is one of the best preserved crusader churches in Jerusalem and also marks the traditional site of the home of the grandparents of Jesus Christ.

Baldassarre Fontana is responsible for the interior stucco decoration, with help from Carlo, Innocente, and Karl Dankwart of Nysa, who are also painters, on the polychromy.

Location: Swi?tej Anny 11, 30-962 Krakow, Poland

Timing: 7:30 am to 7:30 pm everyday

08

Church Of The Holy Saviour

One of the oldest churches of Krakow is the Church of the Holy Saviour. The Church of the Holy Saviour, in the opinion of many scholars, is the first Catholic site in the nation.

The location has been wrecked and rebuilt numerous times since its inspection. In the 17th century, the structure that stands there today underwent reconstruction.

You can travel back in time just looking at the interior. Lovely frescoes from the 16th century are used to decorate it. A cemetery and the resting place of some notable people are just around the corner.

Location: Tadeusza Kosciuszki 88, 30-114 Krakow, Poland

Timings: Regular Evangelical Masses: 9:30 am (Sunday)

09

The Lord's Ark church

The first church to be constructed in Kraków's working-class neighbourhoods was the Church of Queen of Poland. It is known as the Ark of the Lord because of its distinctive shape and is regarded as one of the pinnacles of post-Council of Vatican architecture among Krakow churches.

Volunteers worked from 1967 to 1977 to erect the Lord's Ark Church (Koció Arka Pana) on the outskirts of Nowa Huta, one of Poland's only planned socialist realism communities.

The Lord’s Ark church is a marvel to gaze at, as the interior of the church is covered by over 2 million precious stones along with a remarkable crucifix in the centre of the church.

Location: Obro?ców Krzy?a 1, 31-831 Kraków, Poland

10

Basilica Of The Holy Trinity

The massive Dominican temple known as the Basilica of Holy Trinity is one of the magnificent Krakow churches that rules the area in Gothic splendour. This church has served as the Black Friar brotherhood's bastion in Krakow ever since it was founded in the middle of the thirteenth century.