St. Mary’s Church in Krakow

Model created by: Atlas 3D – photogrammetry Poland

St. Mary’s Basilica (Archpresbyteral Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) is one of the most famous landmarks of Krakow and, after Wawel Cathedral, the city’s most important church. The soaring towers of this Gothic temple dominate the Main Market Square, housing within its walls the priceless late Gothic altarpiece by Veit Stoss. The church’s history dates back to the early 13th century and includes numerous reconstructions and restorations, thanks to which it continues to impress with its architectural beauty to this day.

History of the Church

Medieval beginnings: According to the chronicler Jan Długosz, the first brick church on this site was founded around 1221–1222 by Bishop Iwo Odrowąż – it was a Romanesque temple that was soon destroyed during Tatar invasions. At the end of the 13th century, construction of a new Gothic church began – between 1290 and 1300, a spacious hall church was erected partly on the old foundations, consecrated around 1320. This was the Gothic form of St. Mary’s Basilica, which was continually expanded and embellished over the following centuries.

Gothic expansion: In the mid-14th century – thanks to the patronage of wealthy townsman Mikołaj Wierzynek – the current elongated chancel covered with a stellar vault was built. Between 1392 and 1397, to better illuminate the interior, Master Mikołaj Werner lowered the walls of the side aisles and introduced tall windows, changing the church’s layout from a hall to a basilica type. In 1443, Krakow was struck by an exceptionally strong earthquake that caused the vault to collapse. The church was soon rebuilt, and in the first half of the 15th century a series of side chapels was added along the aisles. Around the same time, the taller, northern tower was raised and adapted for use as a municipal watchtower. This tower – known as the Hejnalica – received its characteristic Gothic spire in 1478, designed by carpenter Maciej Heringkan, and in 1666 it was crowned with a gilded crown measuring 2.4 m in diameter. At the end of the 15th century, the church acquired its most famous work of art: the monumental High Altar of St. Mary’s, carved between 1477 and 1489 by Veit Stoss. This impressive pentaptych, measuring about 13 meters high and 11 meters wide, is considered the largest Gothic altarpiece in Europe.

Modern-era changes: In the early modern period, St. Mary’s Basilica continued to serve as the main parish church of Krakow’s patriciate. Major changes came in the 18th century – between 1750 and 1770, Archpriest Jacek Łopacki commissioned the interior to be rebuilt in the Baroque style. New altars were created, and the walls were covered with rich polychrome paintings by Andrzej Radwański. From this period also dates the Baroque vestibule (narthex) added to the west side. At the end of the 18th century, in 1795, as part of the regulations imposed by the Austrian authorities, the churchyard was liquidated – in its place, the present St. Mary’s Square was arranged, and some of the old epitaphs were embedded into the church’s outer walls.

Recent times: At the end of the 19th century, it was decided to restore the church’s Gothic character. Between 1887 and 1891, under the direction of architect Tadeusz Stryjeński, a comprehensive restoration in the Neo-Gothic style was carried out. It was then that the famous painter Jan Matejko designed a new interior decoration – the vault was painted a deep blue, imitating a starry sky, and the walls were adorned with ornamental and heraldic motifs incorporating angelic figures and prayer inscriptions. The turbulent events of the 20th century did not spare the church – during World War II, it suffered significant losses, and some of its artworks (including paintings) looted by the German occupiers have never been recovered. The most valuable Veit Stoss altarpiece, however, was saved: just before the outbreak of war, the altar’s figures were dismantled and hidden, but the Germans tracked them down and transported them to Nuremberg. After the war, the treasure was recovered – in 1946 it returned to Poland, and after conservation work it was placed back in the church in 1957. Since the 1990s, St. Mary’s Basilica has undergone systematic conservation works. Today, it stands as one of Krakow’s most valuable cultural monuments, inscribed along with the city’s historic center on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Interesting Facts about the Church

Uneven towers and the brothers’ legend: The façade of St. Mary’s Basilica has two towers of different heights. According to a bloody legend from the time of Duke Bolesław the Chaste, the towers were built by two brothers – when the younger realized his tower was rising more slowly, he murdered his older brother out of envy. Tormented by guilt, he later committed suicide by jumping from the unfinished tower on the day the church was consecrated. The alleged murder weapon, a knife, still hangs in the Cloth Hall as a reminder. The real reason for the difference in tower heights is unknown – the taller (northern) tower served defensive and observation functions for the city, while the shorter one was used for church bells (including the bell known as Half-Sigismund).
The St. Mary’s bugle call (Hejnał): Every hour, from the taller tower, the famous St. Mary’s bugle call is played – a melodic trumpet signal sounding in four directions. The melody unexpectedly breaks off halfway – according to legend, this recalls the Tatar invasion of 1241, when a watchman on the tower warned residents of the approaching enemy with his trumpet. Legend says that during the call, a Tatar arrow pierced the trumpeter’s throat, hence the sudden end of the melody. To this day, the bugle call is never played to completion. Every day at noon, the call from St. Mary’s Tower is broadcast live by Polish Radio Program I – a tradition that has continued unbroken since 1927.
The Criminals’ Chapel: In the church’s north aisle stands the Chapel of St. Anthony, which once served an unusual purpose. Known as the Criminals’ Chapel, it was where condemned prisoners were held before execution during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Those sentenced to death spent their final night there. This unusual use was linked to the fact that St. Mary’s Basilica served as the city’s main parish church – central to the life of the entire urban community.
Wartime fate of the altar: During World War II, many artworks from St. Mary’s Basilica were looted by the occupiers. In fear of air raids, in September 1939, the figures from Veit Stoss’s altar were dismantled and moved to the countryside. Unfortunately, the Germans discovered their hiding places and transported the priceless altar to Nuremberg. After the war, thanks to the efforts of Polish museum workers (including Prof. Karol Estreicher), all the altar’s elements were recovered. In 1946, they returned to Krakow, and after conservation at the Wawel Museum, the altar was reinstalled in the basilica in 1957. To this day, the basilica is still searching for other lost artworks stolen during the war.

3D Model

Digital reconstruction: The presented three-dimensional model of St. Mary’s Basilica was created using photogrammetry based on over 800 photographs taken with a drone and a digital camera. This digital documentation made it possible to faithfully reproduce the church’s architecture. The 3D model was then significantly simplified in terms of detail and file size to ensure smooth viewing in a web browser. This allows everyone to admire the silhouette of Krakow’s basilica online, in line with the mission of the Atlas 3D project – promoting and digitally preserving Poland’s architectural heritage.