Krakow - The Magical City
As the old capital of Poland, Krakow has a special place in the national consciousness. For the casual tourist this may not be vitally important or discernable, but this special role as the "spiritual" capital of Poland imbues Krakow with an added ambiance. The city is a vibrant university town that boasts the largest Medieval market square in Europe, plus exquisitely preserved Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural monuments of the highest order. If you get bored of traditional sightseeing, the glorious architecture creates a great backdrop for just sipping a coffee or glass of beer in the outdoor cafes that line practically every street from April-Oct. And at night there are hundreds of bars to suit all tastes, many of them housed in atmospheric cellars. Browse, read and check things out!
Bazylika Mariacka
landmarks
churches
Contact details
Stare Miasto Plac Mariacki 5
+48124225518 wew. 21
www.mariacki.com
Description
St Mary's church
St. Mary's basilica is situated at an unusual angle with respect to the main square of Krakow, and the two asymmetrical towers are probably Krakow's most memorable and recognizable sight. The church was first constructed in the 1220s. before the main square had been laid out, and then it was rebuilt in the 14th century on the old foundations, by which time the square had been designed in alignment with an old trade route, thus creating the odd positioning of St. Mary's. From the taller church tower the famous Hejnał trumpet call is played every hour on the hour, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This tradition dates back at least to the 14th century when the tower was part of the city defenses and a guard looked out for fires, attacks, and other threats. Legend claims that one of the brave guards/trumpeters in the 13th century was slain by a Tartar arrow during an attack, thus explaining why the somber melody is never completed, but is instead abruptly stopped in mid-note. The church interiors is a spectacular mixture of Gothic, Baroque, and 19th century art. The most famous treasure being the Veit Stoss Gothic main altar, the largest Gothic altar in the world, featuring more than 200 carved and gilded figures.
Dennis McEvoy
