| St. Mary's Church tips and photos posted by real travelers and Krakow locals. • 166 Photos
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 CHAPEL IN DETAILS by matcrazy1
History, history, a lot of history. No wonder - King's city of Krakow was the capitol of Poland, the most powerful European country loooong time ago (16-17th century).
If you are interested take more time and buy detailed guide book to basilica available in English, German and French in ticket office.
Leave a Comment Directions: NE corner of the Main Market Square
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 ENTRANCE FOR VISITORS by matcrazy1
The entrance for visitors (on my picture) is located on southern wall of the basilica (right from main entrance) - just from a small, lovely square called St. Barbara Square (next tip).
On right side you have a ticket office: pay 4 zl (approx. $1/1 euro) for entry. If you want to know more buy a detailed guide to the basilica, available in English, French, German and Polish - at least when I was there in October 2003. There were postcards (0.5 and 1.0 zl) and ilustrated albums available there as well.
Keep silence inside, do not disturb prayers, do NOT use flash (you need a tripod or good hand hehe). Leave a Comment
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Built in 1400's, it became a most famous monument due to the alter carving. It is in three section, called triptych, where the two sides fold out. That was done by Viet Stwoss over 12 years starting in 1477. The totally wooden commemorative artwork is about 42 feet tall and 35 feet wide. It opens up with both sides spreading open, and displays the various sections. St. Marys Assumption -death of the Virgin-is in the middle part with the Saints underneath in awe. It is with Mary at the top with twelve apostles underneath taking in the wonder of her assension to heaven. The side panels have six scenes of Mary in joyous times. The colors are still vibrant and the piece is one to behold and remember. The rest of the church is of equal splendor with colorful chandeliers, and decorative columns. The church inside has so many elegant items to take in, the time is not enough if on a tour. The alter showing that opens the panels is only 3 or 4 times a day, even though one site says only at noon. Check times to insure you do not miss. You have to pay for taking pictures of the scene when it opens. Directions: old town area-just off center
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 Basilica of the Virgin
Mary by Leipzig
You can see the richly ornameted chancel of 1365 as well as the big stained-glass windows of the 14th century. All walls were painted in red and blue color, decorated with a lot of ornaments and golden edges. Leave a Comment
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 St. Mary's by Dabs
My other favorite story is about the two brothers who built the twin towers of St. Mary's. The architect of the smaller tower murdered his brother, rumored to be jealous that his structure was shorter and less elaborate. Racked with guilt he then commited suicide by throwing himself off the roof of the cathedral.
The taller tower is where the bugler stands playing the Hejnal. Leave a Comment Address: Rynek Glowny (Market Square)
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 CHANCEL WITH ORNATE STALLS by matcrazy1
They are located on both sides of front part of basilica (the chancel) - sitting there is forbidden either for prayers and for visitors.
Just a few explanations:
CHANCEL is the part of a church containing the altar where the priests and choir sit.
STALLS are special sittings in a church for important persons usually located close to altar.
Leave a Comment Directions: NE corner of the Main Market Square (Rynek Glowny)
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 The church of St Mary by KennetRose
Every hour, on the hour, seven days a week and twenty four hours a day, the trumpeter makes his bugle call from the tower - the hejnal. The call is made from each corner of the tower in turn and is quite long - famously it ends in mid-phrase commemorating the trumpeter warning of the approach of the tartar hordes who was cut down in mid-phrase by an arrow in the throat.
On warm nights when the scent of the lilacs is hanging heavily in the air, the trumpet call carries right across the city and is one of the most evocative things you will ever find on your travels. Leave a Comment
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 St Mary's Church by smirnofforiginal
The golden ball (at the top) is saidf to contain the written history of the city.
Every hour the HEJNAL is played on a trumpet from the highest tower to the 4 quarters of the world in turn. It is a simple melody based on 5 notes and was played in Medieval times as a warning call. It stops abruptly in mid bar - apparently when the Tatars arrived the watchman sounded the alarm but was shot, in mid-phrase, in the throat by an arrow...
To the south of the church is St. Mary's Square (Plac Mariacki) - a Parish cemetary until the 19th century. Bordering this square is the 14th century St. Barbara's Church (Kosciol Sw Barbary) which was the cemetary chapel. And there's a little passage adjoining the church which will take you onto the Little MArket Square (Maly Rynek) which was the town's 2nd largest marketplace.
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 Basilica of the Virgin
Mary by LeipzigLeave a Comment
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 AT SAINT BARBARA SQUARE by matcrazy1
You can see the entrance to the basilica designated for its visitors on the background and this strange monument - fountain in my picture.
There is a small (at least in comparison to huge basilica) St. Barbara church on eastern end of the square - out of my picture.
Btw, I was in Santa Barbara, California - lovely place. Leave a Comment
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