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!
Kościół Św. Andrzeja
landmarks
churches
Contact details
Stare Miasto ul. Grodzka 54
+48124221612
www.klaryski.pl
Description
St. Andrews church
This is by far the best preserved pre-Gothic church in Krakow, though its interior is high Baroque. Construction started in 1079 and you'll notice that to enter the church you have to go down a few steps below street level because the street has risen over the centuries. But actually you can see that the original entrance has been walled up at the front of the church. The exterior is a very simple and elegant combination of limestone and sandstone with very small window openings giving the church a fortified appearance. The copper belfries are Baroque and of a much latter date. The interior is quite a shock in comparison with the severe exterior. The Baroque pulpit in the shape of a boat, complete with sail, riggings, and playful angels is also a Christian symbol relating to Jesus calling Peter and Andrew, fishermen from Galilee to become "fisher of men".
Dennis McEvoy
