Church of St. Anne

Kraków, Poland

The Church of St. Anne is one of the leading examples of Polish Baroque architecture. The church was first mentioned in 1381 in the deed of donation of Sulisław I Nawoja of Grodziec. In 1407 the church was completely destroyed during a fire, but it was rebuilt the same year in the Gothic style by King Władysław II Jagiełło. The king also attached the Church formally to the Jagiellonian University by giving it the right to nominate the parish priest. In 1428 the choir was reconstructed and enlarged. By a charter dated October 27, 1535 St. Anne's was raised to the rank of a collegiate church.

In 1689 the Gothic edifice was demolished as it proved too small for the growing cult of Saint John Cantius, the patron saint of the Jagiellonian University who's laid to rest there. In 1689-1705 the new Baroque church was erected, modelled on Sant'Andrea della Valle in Rome. The architect was a Polonized Dutchman Tylman van Gameren, a chief architect at the court of John III Sobieski. The interior stucco decoration is the work of Baldassare Fontana, and the polychromy assisted by painters and brothers Carlo and Innocente Monti and Karl Dankwart of Nysa. The painting of St. Anne in the high altar is the work of Jerzy Siemiginowski-Eleuter, court painter of King John III Sobieski. The 18th-century paintings in the stalls showing the life of Saint Anne are by Szymon Czechowicz. In the transept there is an altar of the adoration of the cross to the left, and the tomb of John Cantius to the right.

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Details

Founded: 1689-1705
Category: Religious sites in Poland

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.8/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Milena C (7 months ago)
Very beautiful church. Hidden gem in Cracow.
Anne Josef (13 months ago)
Stare Miasto, Krakow’s vibrant old town, is packed with traditional Polish restaurants, hotels and antique and souvenir shops. Wawel Royal Castle is a sprawling complex with a museum and cathedral, while bustling, 13th-century Rynek square is home to Gothic St. Mary’s Basilica and Sukiennice, a Renaissance-era market hall. Bars include low-key pubs, craft beer bars, vodka spots and jazz dens. ― Google
Norbert Simon (15 months ago)
Amazingly beautiful baroque architecture. Within the city center so you can visit many attractions at once. Close to public transport hubs as well.
Robert Chomicz (16 months ago)
Beautiful baroque collegiate basilica located across the street from the Jagiellonian University campus. The entry is free but be respectful as it is a working church. The church is a rare example of pure expression of late baroque in Krakow.
Mike Mamula (5 years ago)
Beautiful church! Very glad I stopped by to see this amazing piece of Catholic history in Poland!
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