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. Krzyża
landmarks
churches
Contact details
Stare Miasto ul. Św. Krzyża 23
+48124292056
krzyzkrak@diecezja.krakow.pl
www.krzyzkrakow.pl
Description
The Holy Cross church
This simple but picturesque Gothic church isn't often visited and its opening hours are unpredictable (around 5:30pm during the week in preparation for 6pm Mass and between masses and weddings on the weekend) but it's worth making the effort to see the unusual interior. The church essentially dates from the beginning of the 14th century but also has some lovely frescos from the 15th-16th century. But the most unusual feature of the church is the single column that supports the Gothic vaulted ceiling creating a palm like pattern. The impressive and disturbing fresco of and old man surrounded by sharp swords is another curious feature of the church. This church is popular with theatrical people due to its location next to the Slowacki Theater and that's why there's a plaque honoring the famous 19th century Polish actress Helena Modrzejewska.
Dennis McEvoy
Nearby
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