Church of St Michael the Archangel and St Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr and Pauline Fathers Monastery, Skałka, which means 'a small rock' in Polish, is a small outcrop in Kraków where the Bishop of Kraków saint Stanislaus of Szczepanów was slain by order of Polish king Bolesław II the Bold in 1079. This action resulted in the king's exile and the eventual canonization of the slain bishop.

Originally, a Romanesque church was built there. King Casimir III raised a new gothic church in its place and since 1472 this shrine has been in the possession of a monastic community of Pauline Fathers. In 1733-1751 the church received a baroque decor. It is one of the most famous Polish sanctuaries.

The crypt underneath the church serves as a 'national Panthéon', a burial place for some of the most distinguished Poles, particularly those who lived in Kraków.

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Address

Skałeczna 15, Kraków, Poland
See all sites in Kraków

Details

Founded: 14th century
Category: Religious sites in Poland

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Ann Joy (2 years ago)
I didn't really like it inside but outside there is a yard they open and I spent evenings sitting there, very quiet and peaceful place. Try not to drink water?
Kseniya Kalgina (2 years ago)
Magnificent place with an interesting history that would keep you at the edge of your seat. Things to watch (besides the whole charming building and the yard) - a piece of wood with St. Stanisław's blood drops, the pieces of stairs where the murder happened, the pond with a statue and 4 eagles at the corners - where some pieces of Stanisław's body were thrown to drown, but nothing went as planned.
Oakfriend (5 years ago)
A must see in Cracow! Usually quiet, with no tourists crowds. A place to have a rest, prey, take a time for yourself. Great location close to other attractions of Kazimierz part of Cracow.
Klaus Wanderer (5 years ago)
I loved this church so much I found it hard to leave. It is built on the spot where Stanislaus the Bishop of Krakow was put to death by Boleslaw the Bold. It was initially a Romanesque church replaced by a Gothic church in the 14th century but the construction you see today is an 18th century Baroque one. The inside of the church is really, really beautiful There is a crypt underneath which is a burial place for some of the greatest Polish men throughout history.
Luigi Brandolini (5 years ago)
You can visit the Church and the Holy water source. According the legend, after his killing, the remains of the saint made up again and in that place the holy water gushed out. It's possible to drink it. Very interesting.
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