Holy Cross Church (Kosciol Swietego Krzyza)

Holy Cross Church (Kosciol Swietego Krzyza)

Holy Cross Church (Kosciol Swietego Krzyza)
4.5
Historic Sites • Religious Sites
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Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Śródmieście Północne
How to get there
  • Nowy Świat-Uniwersytet • 4 min walk
  • Świętokrzyska • 10 min walk
See what travelers are saying
  • MarkW55
    Castle Douglas, United Kingdom470 contributions
    Impressive Church
    The statue of Christ carrying the cross outside this church immediately catches the attention of passers by on the 'Royal Mile'. The church is opposite the Warsaw University. The Church itself is dramatic and beautifully reconstructed - a 2020 visitor would never know that it had been virtually destroyed during the fighting of the Warsaw Uprising. It remains a serious church dedicated to prayers and services. I almost managed to get to the end without mentioning that Chopin's heart is supposedly buried here!
    Visited February 2020
    Written February 19, 2020
  • Kass H
    Adelaide, Australia121 contributions
    A beautiful church with Chopin's heart buried inside
    The church is on the main street and is Roman Catholic. It does not stand out but is amazing and beautiful inside. If you also look around carefully you find the story of Chopin having his heart stored safely inside near a pillar.
    Visited November 2019
    Written January 2, 2020
  • Raintree_Thailand
    Bangkok, Thailand3,512 contributions
    He left his heart in Warsaw!
    The Holy Cross Church has a rather plain exterior and although quite large inside is less ornate than several other churches in Warsaw. Like so many others, this church was completely destroyed during WWII and rebuilt after the war (the Poles deserve lots of credit for the tremendous work in reconstructing and rebuilding after the war!). What is most notable about this church is that its is the resting place of Chopin’s heart, which is interred in an interior pillar of the church (you can't really see the heart, but a sign indicates where it is placed. The church is also known for having the largest pipe organ in Warsaw,
    Visited October 2022
    Written January 4, 2023
  • PavlaPavla
    Chrudim, Czech Republic6,513 contributions
    Chopin's heart
    I think this church is especially famous for keeping the heart of music composer Frédéric Chopin. The urn with his heart is immured up in one of the columns and a commemorative plaque is placed on it. I found interesting the information that during the Chopin International Piano Competition on 17 October (the day of Frédéric Chopin's death) a solemn mass is celebrated in this church, during which Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Requiem is performed in accordance with the wishes of the composer.
    Visited July 2022
    Written July 19, 2022
  • TeeGee62
    409 contributions
    Resting Place of Chopin's Heart
    Situated across from University of Warsaw, Holy Cross Church is one many beautiful baroque churches in Warsaw. However, this church is the final resting place of Chopin's heart. Chopin had said that his heart will always belong to Poland.... knowing he would never leave Paris, asked that his heart be returned to rest in his beloved Poland. Entombed here in 1882, this is where his heart now lays to rest.
    Visited May 2019
    Written February 13, 2020
  • czarnowica
    3 contributions
    Incredibly emotional, historic place - the spiritual heart of Warsaw.
    I may be prejudiced because I am an American of Polish descent, but anyone with a heart and soul will leave this place deeply touched and moved. One of the last battles of the Warsaw uprising was actually fought inside the church - there are still bullets in some of the walls and in the silver altar screens. In a niche on the left hand side of the church is an urn that contains the heart of Chopin, at any given time you will see families bringing wreaths of flowers to remember the great Polish composer. It was his dying wish that his heart be interred in the land of his birth and culture. From the moment you catch sight of the church with its large statue of Jesus carrying his cross, you feel the beauty, sadness, suffering, and ultimate triumph of Poland throughout its history of opression to its glorious independence. Go for high mass on Sunday and really soak in the culture and unique spirituality of this undervisited nation with so much to offer on so many levels. In the back of the church is a small chapel to Our Lady of Katyn that memorializes the genocide of Polish citizens and army officers at the end of WWII by the Soviets - I dare anyone to see it and not be moved to tears by the Madonna holding a dying soldier in her arms.
    Written April 23, 2008
  • Jan
    London, United Kingdom48 contributions
    Beggars inside the Church
    This is (in my opinion) the most beautiful Church in Warsaw. And Holy Cross Church is very easy to find. But asking for money beggars inside this Church ruin everything. They rush into you the moment you enter. They also have Chick to interrupt your prayer. I visited the Church several times, and every time beggars attacked me. I didn't like that.
    Visited April 2019
    Traveled solo
    Written July 18, 2019
  • Gargio76
    Brussels, Belgium3,981 contributions
    Wspaniały!
    Imposing church of clear Baroque master, is situated along the royal road and you can not enter it! Here it is preserved Chopin's heart because here was to play and often you can attend concerts of classical music. pretty austere decor, will dominate the white and gold of the rich sculptural ornamentation. Do not miss, free entry. @gargio76
    Visited September 2016
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 28, 2016
  • vatraveler050
    Williamsburg, Virginia48 contributions
    Heart of Chopin
    A beautiful church. Chopin is buried in France, but gave instructions for his heart to be sent to this church. There is a monument commemorating this.
    Visited November 2011
    Traveled with friends
    Written November 19, 2011
  • courtney106
    305 contributions
    Beautiful!
    This beautiful old church is well worth the visit. Considering the destruction of Warsaw in WW2 it is remarkable all the work that went into the reconstruction.
    Visited September 2019
    Written September 22, 2019
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.5
493 reviews
Excellent
213
Very good
216
Average
59
Poor
2
Terrible
3

PavlaPavla
Chrudim, Czech Republic6,513 contributions
Jul 2022
I think this church is especially famous for keeping the heart of music composer Frédéric Chopin. The urn with his heart is immured up in one of the columns and a commemorative plaque is placed on it.

I found interesting the information that during the Chopin International Piano Competition on 17 October (the day of Frédéric Chopin's death) a solemn mass is celebrated in this church, during which Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Requiem is performed in accordance with the wishes of the composer.
Written July 19, 2022
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.

TeeGee62
Winnipeg, Manitoba409 contributions
May 2019
Situated across from University of Warsaw, Holy Cross Church is one many beautiful baroque churches in Warsaw.
However, this church is the final resting place of Chopin's heart.
Chopin had said that his heart will always belong to Poland.... knowing he would never leave Paris, asked that his heart be returned to rest in his beloved Poland.
Entombed here in 1882, this is where his heart now lays to rest.
Written February 13, 2020
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.

czarnowica
Queens, New York3 contributions
I may be prejudiced because I am an American of Polish descent, but anyone with a heart and soul will leave this place deeply touched and moved. One of the last battles of the Warsaw uprising was actually fought inside the church - there are still bullets in some of the walls and in the silver altar screens. In a niche on the left hand side of the church is an urn that contains the heart of Chopin, at any given time you will see families bringing wreaths of flowers to remember the great Polish composer. It was his dying wish that his heart be interred in the land of his birth and culture. From the moment you catch sight of the church with its large statue of Jesus carrying his cross, you feel the beauty, sadness, suffering, and ultimate triumph of Poland throughout its history of opression to its glorious independence. Go for high mass on Sunday and really soak in the culture and unique spirituality of this undervisited nation with so much to offer on so many levels. In the back of the church is a small chapel to Our Lady of Katyn that memorializes the genocide of Polish citizens and army officers at the end of WWII by the Soviets - I dare anyone to see it and not be moved to tears by the Madonna holding a dying soldier in her arms.
Written April 23, 2008
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.

Jan
London, UK48 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
This is (in my opinion) the most beautiful Church in Warsaw. And Holy Cross Church is very easy to find. But asking for money beggars inside this Church ruin everything. They rush into you the moment you enter. They also have Chick to interrupt your prayer. I visited the Church several times, and every time beggars attacked me. I didn't like that.
Written July 18, 2019
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.

Gargio76
Brussels, Belgium3,981 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
Imposing church of clear Baroque master, is situated along the royal road and you can not enter it!

Here it is preserved Chopin's heart because here was to play and often you can attend concerts of classical music. pretty austere decor, will dominate the white and gold of the rich sculptural ornamentation.

Do not miss, free entry. @gargio76
Written September 28, 2016
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.

vatraveler050
Williamsburg, VA48 contributions
Nov 2011 • Friends
A beautiful church. Chopin is buried in France, but gave instructions for his heart to be sent to this church. There is a monument commemorating this.
Written November 19, 2011
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.

courtney106
Ma305 contributions
Sep 2019
This beautiful old church is well worth the visit. Considering the destruction of Warsaw in WW2 it is remarkable all the work that went into the reconstruction.
Written September 22, 2019
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.

380Roger
Bedford, UK172 contributions
Aug 2019
In the midst of a busy life sometimes we just need to step aside for a few minutes of peace and quiet. This attractive little church gives just such an opportunity.
Written September 3, 2019
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.

Deborah B
Round Rock, TX397 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
So Chopin’s heart is buried in one column of the church. Outside is a black bench that plays Chopin’s music. Church is beautiful
Written July 3, 2019
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.

Tupelo010835
Denton, TX2,016 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
........to visit one church during your time in a Warsaw, you might consider making this the one. Apart from the beautiful architecture, the grand art, you can be close to Chopin. Well, his heart anyway. As you walk in, second column on the inside left.
Highly Recommended
Written June 20, 2018
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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Holy Cross Church (Kosciol Swietego Krzyza), Warsaw

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