No matter how many times you see them - the altarpiece, stained glass windows of the nave, and the blue, starred ceiling on St. Mary's will take your breath away. The magnificent wooden altarpiece was the principal work of 15th century German artist Veit Stoss (aka Wit Stwosz) for 12 painstaking years, and depicts the Virgin Mary’s Quietus among the apostles; note, however, that gradual conservation work on the altar is currently underway (projected to last until 2020), and not all elements may be on display during your visit. Surrounding the altar are polychrome paintings by Polish masters Matejko, Mehoffer and Wyspiański done in the late 19th century.
Visiting St. Mary's Basilica
The church is typically available for worship without paying an entry fee via the main entrance. Tourists are asked to use a side entrance, however, not visit during services, and pay for entry; we list the tourist visiting hours below. Tickets are purchased in a separate building across from the tourist entrance (no online sales).The church's Bugle Tower is also open seasonally to tourists (no kids under 7 though), but a separate ticket is required - 15/10zł; these tickets cannot be bought in advance and typically sell out very early in the morning, so be there when they open if you want the privelege. The Bugle Tower is open from March to December (weather dependent, ticket required) to groups of 10 people max every 30mins from Tue-Sat 10:00-17:30, Sun 13:00-17:30; Nov, Dec, March open Tue-Sat 10:00-11:30, 13:10-17:30.
Once open by appointment, the church's other tower - the Bell Tower - is no longer available to tourists.
Comments
lady Melinda,
usa
iam looking for information about birth records of my great grand father an his son great Grand name was Lord Michael.Safian live there in 1800 marrided there Krakow an his loder son Lord Walter, Safian born,an birth was there in Krakow a was church menber of St Mary Basilica Church if anyone could give me more infornation about these people if they were Nobiel of poland is know Lithuanian stats ??not sure
Phil C
Krakow
Amazing Basilica right in the main square, take a climb up the tower on the hour to get a real close up of the Hejnal. A Tip, if you enter via the front doors you avoid paying the entry fee.
Lady melinda.waladyslaw"safian
toledo,ohio usa
in quireing about family that live in krakow durning the earl too lmiddle of 1800? that familt attended there a batizls there childern there"" Went by Lord Michael,Waladylslaw"Safain a several son oldest son my grandfather by Walter,Waladyslaw"Safian batizle, commioun there too need information please of there birth records there
Alfred Sciberras
I have been to Cracow last August and I was greatly fascinated with its beauty. Among the places of interested I have visited St. Mary's Basilica in the Main Square. Its beauty took my breath away and left me speechless. Just before I left this beautiful church I noticed that there are two pulpits, I wonder why as I have never seen a church with two pulpits and I have sisited several basilicas, cathedrals and other churches in different countries. Can anyoneone please let me know why?
Sue Karolski
A beautiful, fabulous church full of wonderful carvings and pictures. Like all churches in Krakow it is filled with historical interest. Krakow is wonderful if you love fine buildings, restaurants and places to drink and socialise.