St Mary's Basilica
St Mary's Basilica
4.5
Points of Interest & LandmarksArchitectural BuildingsChurches & Cathedrals
11:30 AM - 5:45 PM
Monday
11:30 AM - 5:45 PM
Tuesday
11:30 AM - 5:45 PM
Wednesday
11:30 AM - 5:45 PM
Thursday
11:30 AM - 5:45 PM
Friday
11:30 AM - 5:45 PM
Saturday
11:30 AM - 5:45 PM
Sunday
2:00 PM - 5:45 PM
About
One of the most famous of Poland's churches, this Gothic structure features two striking towers of different heights and surprisingly richly decorated insight, mostly thanks to the vibrant polychromy by great Polish artist Jan Matejko. The greatest masterpiece is though the Main Altar by Veit Stoss - a late Gothic illustration for St. Mary's and Jesus life, including scenes of Mary's death and Assumption. Please note that the church, including Main Altar, is currently under long maintenance and renovation works, which may be of some inconvenience.
Duration: < 1 hour
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Stare Miasto
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • trishGlasgow
    Glasgow, United Kingdom22 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lots to see and do .
    Stayed at Santi hotel just behind the main market square . Quirky old boutique hotel and third time staying there . Great location and huge rooms . Trams run outside the hotel which can be a bit noisy if your on a first floor front facing room but not bothersome elsewhere . Krakow is beautiful but bars and restaurants on main square can be expensive . Go to back streets or Jewish quarter . Visit auschwitz and the salt mines and also Schindlers factory . Great place to visit and people friendly and helpful if you get lost . Did most of it on foot so take comfy shoes . Massive shopping mall beside Glovny train station is worth a visit . Love this place and will be sure to go back to krakow
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 25 March 2023
  • Jane S
    Omagh, United Kingdom222 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    St Mary’s Basilica krakow
    We were too early for the tower, opens 1st April however if you have the chance to visit please do. The decoration is amazing.. blows your mind religious or not.. The viet Stoss altar is a must see and an information leaflet is provided . Very busy .. £15 polish zloty around £3.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 30 March 2023
  • Traveller162014
    Leeds, United Kingdom1,039 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Pilgrimage
    My friend and I came here to pay our respects, both on Saturday and Sunday morning during our stay in Krakow. On both occasions, Mass was ongoing, so we listened intently amongst the crowds of fellow Christians. The building, inside and out, is simply beautiful. It is well worth a visit.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 30 March 2023
  • Bertie1224
    Northamptonshire, United Kingdom527 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing building
    Architecturally a very impressive space. Huge stained glass windows and a beautiful ceiling. We wanted to go up the tower but could not see how. Thought it opened on 1 April? Bugler from the tower window is lovely to listen to outside. An amazing space.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 8 April 2023
  • Abovetheclouds
    2,442 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Gothic masterpiece especially the altar.
    I have to admit the first time I saw this from the outside, I thought 'is that it?' but look closer and from afar and then go inside. A delight particularly the Gothic altar which is quite spectacular. I went twice. The second time was on Easter Sunday during mass. Quite something. Always busy. Located in the main Square in the heart of the Old Town. The trumpet call is played on the hour (not sure if this is all the time but I managed to catch it a few times). I would read up or take a guide book with so you know what to look out for.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 9 April 2023
  • Bridstow
    Peterborough, United Kingdom903 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Outstanding
    We were in Krakow at Easter time. As a busy working cathedral it took us a number of attempts to get into St. Mary’s Basilica. We are glad that we persisted. This is a stunning place. As with any such place it comes with a peace and calmness that enables your senses to make the most of the awesomeness of the building, its contents and general ambience. There is so much to see that it is worth taking the time to make the most of this. Aside from walking around we found ourselves just sitting enjoying the peacefulness and taking in the sights. As the crowds come and go this approach allowed us to enjoy our visit so much more.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 12 April 2023
  • Sand M
    Perth, United Kingdom751 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful
    This is a beautiful building on the outside but even better inside. The altar is just spectacular. They still use this for service . There is also a bugler who plays daily. It took us 2 days to figure out where it comes from and it is from the tower of this building. Very traditional apparently.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 15 April 2023
  • AmandaJaneC69
    Wokingham, United Kingdom61 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Definitely worth going inside
    Worth going inside and looking round and tickets were very cheap. If you want to go up the tower you have to get there early as the tickets were sold out in the afternoon. Very ornate church inside but very interesting seeing the craftmanship. Look up at the towers on the hour, as the bugler sounds the hour every hour.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 12 July 2023
  • edward w
    17 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good for wheelchair users
    Unlike Wavel Cathedral there is good wheelchair access into this church. No problem getting around despite the crowds and the interior is a joy to behold. The staff here are helpful to the disabled and compare most favourably with the poor response to wheelchair users at the Cathedral
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 24 July 2023
  • Richard M
    Hampstead Norreys, United Kingdom871 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning basilica, tower views and bugler
    An absolutly stunning basillica with a sumptious interior. The colours were incredible and it was a lovely place to visit. We also climbed the tower to the viewing room at the top. This gave stunning views over the city. Every hour the trumpeter sounds the old tune that warned of invasion including stopping where, as rumnour has it, the original bugler was killed. They do this every hour at each of the four compass points. They will even wave afterwards. Lovely.
    Visited July 2023
    Written 29 July 2023
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles6,931 reviews
Excellent
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1,615
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264
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47
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28

Nick N
Portsmouth, UK1,652 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Family
What an amazing church, a must visit when you’re in the area. The sheer size inside will blow you away. Lots to see and free English translation plan to use.
Written 8 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lenard M
Tartu, Estonia9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Family
I'm not big on church visits for several reasons, but this was a spur-of-the-moment, what-the-heck we're already here decision to visit, and I can say I was stunned by the magnificence of the basilica. No matter how you feel about religion, Catholicism, and the role of the church in Polish history and society, well, leave that aside and go marvel at a cultural wonder.
Written 7 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kelly
37 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
Absolutely beautiful

Intersesting fact: Used in the film Schindler's List when the young men are bartering for shirts and show polish at the new the beginning of the film.
Written 6 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nicola g
18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
Simply stunning. We had walked passed this beautiful church a few times amazed by the architecture from the outside of the building then we were passing as there was a service one evening and decided to go in. First time a church has wowed and amazed me. It was just a very moving moment. We sat there for some time taking in the beautiful architecture. And not really being people that go to church I could not believe the affect st. Mary’s had on us. Please visit this beautiful amazing church.
Written 29 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joeluc_Lucjoe
Oxfordshire, UK261 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
We visited thus several times due to it looking very beautiful outside and in. Architecture and paintings are amazing. I would recommend a visit. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Written 23 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pub Monster Neil
Liverpool, UK679 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Friends
St Mary's Basilica ( Kosciol Mariacki ) is the most beautiful church in Poland, a landmark of not just Krakow but of the country of Poland.
A stunning example of Polish Gothic architecture, the original church was destroyed in the Mongol invasion of Poland but then rebuilt between 1290-1300 ,under the reign of Casimir III The Great this church was completely rebuilt between 1355-1365 to give us the stunning looking church we see today ,walking onto Plac Mariacki you cannot fail to be impressed by this awesome looking church with its 80 metre high tower ,from the tower the " Hejnal Mariacki " or trumpet signal is sounded on the hour 24 hours a day 365 day a year and hence the tower gained its nickname " The Bugle Tower " ,day or night this tower is stunning to view ,its one of the most photographed buildings in Poland, if you're planning a holiday to Krakow it's a church that should be at the top of you're lists to visit.
Written 13 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

petergab10
Melbourne, Australia600 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Solo
St Mary's Basilica is one of the Centrepoint's of Krakow Old Town across from the Main Market Square a brick gothic church. And the place you will hear the trumpeter play his bugle call from the top of the church on the hour. Look up and when he finishes the crowd waves, and he does the same back its a touching moment. Personally, l have always thought the church looks beautiful and from the outside l have taken many photos of it. And was amazed when l walk in for the first time early in the morning when a mass was taken place it was a moving moment.

On the right hand side of the church there is a visitor's entrance which opens at 11.30am which you must buy a ticket before entering the church. You can buy a ticket
from church ticket office which is opposite the entrance door for 15 zloty. Walking into the church l did not know where to look as you are taken back by its beauty from its Architecture, Ceilings, Sculptures, Paintings, Stain glassed windows, Veit Stoss altarpiece is stunning to see and definitely a highlight. At this time, you are allowed to take photos which l did in a respectful way.
Written 24 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Keith H
Atherton, UK118 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
Absolutely stunning and a must see, the outside does not do it justice, so ornate and beautiful. We left it till our last day to do having walked around it several times, wave to the trumpeter on the hour 👋
Written 23 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gabriel Cohen
Antwerp, Belgium10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Business
While in Krakow and not visiting the basilica would be a sin. It was spectacular and relaxing. It is definitely a must while in Krakow.
Written 8 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hayley C
7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
Absolutely stunning. Never seen anything like it. So reasonably priced. Stunning - would really recommend
Written 6 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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St Mary's Basilica, Krakow

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