St. Mary's Basilica
Kościół Mariacki
A Gothic twin-towered church of uneven heights on the square, housing Veit Stoss’s enormous 15th-century wooden altarpiece, with a tower trumpeter whose Hejnał call breaks off abruptly every hour.
St. Mary’s Basilica was built in the 14th century. Its two towers of different heights are landmarks of Kraków’s skyline. The north tower, 82 meters tall and topped with a golden crown-shaped spire, served as the city’s lookout tower, while the south tower, 69 meters tall, holds a clock. Legend says two brothers each built a tower, and the younger brother, out of jealousy, killed the elder, so the south tower was never finished. The Hejnał, played hourly from the north tower in four directions, breaks off abruptly partway through, in memory of the trumpeter who was shot in the throat during the 1241 Mongol invasion. The noon call is also broadcast live across Poland by Polish Radio.
The interior is known for its blue starry vault and the 19th-century painted murals designed by Matejko. Its main highlight is the high altar, a linden-wood altarpiece 13 meters high and 11 meters wide, carved by the Nuremberg sculptor Veit Stoss in 1477–1489. Its central scene depicts the Dormition of the Virgin, and it is the largest Gothic wooden altarpiece in Europe. Every day at about 11:50, nuns open the wings (on Sundays at 14:00), so plan your visit to catch that moment. Visitors enter from the side door on the Plac Mariacki side. Admission is about 20 złoty, and visits are not permitted during Mass. From May to September, you can also climb the north tower (about 20 złoty, reservation required, limited to 10 people at a time, 239 steps) for a view over the square. Worshippers enter through the main door for free but may not move about the visitor areas. Nearby, the quiet Little Mary’s Square behind the church offers a good angle for photographing the twin towers, and across the way, Café Camelot is an old established café.
Opening hours
Visitor access Mon–Sat 11:30–18:00, Sun 14:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Rynek Underground
- Main Market Square & Cloth Hall
- Czartoryski Museum
- St. Florian's Gate & Barbican
- Planty Park
- Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
- Church of Saints Peter and Paul
- Collegium Maius