Religious Sites in Krakow

Religious Sites in Krakow, Poland

Religious Sites in Krakow

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What travelers are saying

  • bartalm
    Constancia, Portugal71 contributions
    The whole cathedral is beautiful and very interesting with lot of tombs and chapels. Every chapel is beautiful in different manner. I highly recommend to see the Sigismund's Chapel, next to it the Vasa Chapel and the Chapel of Holy Cross. There are also some worthy tapestries from the Jagiellonian tapestries collection.
    Written August 6, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rebecca S
    14 contributions
    We bought tickets to get in when others were just walking in. There was a service on so couldn't go too far from the door and I was inappropriately dressed apparently!! But it is beautiful what we did see
    Written July 22, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ann T
    Moscow, Russia119 contributions
    Classical favorites played in a stunningly beautiful, easily accessible venue—St. Peter and Paul Church! Different concerts every night of the week at 8:00 PM. Reasonably-priced. Tickets available at the door. Highly recommend as a crowd-pleasing, relaxing cultural activity, that can fill in any free evening in Krakow!
    Written August 8, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Bertie1224
    Northamptonshire, UK428 contributions
    Easter Saturday, a beautiful choir echoing in the street brought us to watch the procession enter a wonderfully lit church. The gold shone out and the incense made it more mesmerising. A big church with an amazing interior that would require sometime to stand and observe and absorb it all. Superb architecture.
    Written April 16, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Hannelore H
    United Kingdom245 contributions
    A very typical church giving a good sense of cultural, religious and historical background, would definitely recommend to visit.
    Written April 27, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Maks matej C
    131 contributions
    The site of the building originally housed the neo-Gothic monastery complex of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy (founded in 1862), which was designed by Charles Zaremba and was built between 1889–1891. In 1966, the remains of Sister Faustina were moved to the church. In 1968 Cardinal Karol Wojtyła (later Pope John Paul II) designated the church as a shrine, thanks to the remains of Sister Faustina.
    Written March 7, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Pernille I
    Copenhagen, Denmark4,857 contributions
    I am not sure where the rock is - when you arrive at the church it is situated at the end of a street; you enter the premises which are quite vast including the Pauline monastery - on the back is the Vistula river, but not a big drop down.

    The site has seen several churches - dating back from the Middle Ages and rebuilt in the 14th and then in the 18th century.

    As with the St Joseph church in the Podgorze district there is a park around it with modern sculptures as well as a sculpture at a lower level, which reminds you of the Laibela church in Ethiopia - only the statue is of the Saint Stanislaw, and during summer it becomes a well from which pilgrims drink the water.

    Interiors are quite sober with golden and cream colors; but the highlight is really the exterior with the semicircle of statues representing the Three Millenia and displaying seven huge statues of important people from Polish history - clergy and others; among these John Paul II of course but also the queen Jadwiga who funded the construction of the St Barbaras church at Rynek Glowny, and the martyr Adalbart namesake of the small church on Rynek Glowny too.

    Definitely worth a visit although a bit off the beaten track.
    Written April 18, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • TheShis
    Tel Aviv, Israel39,117 contributions
    This is a smallish synagogue, located at the entrance to the Jewish quarter. Next to it, there's a small cemetery with some old Jewish tombstones.
    Written March 20, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • 545medva
    Budapest, Hungary3,972 contributions
    MAybe it is not so famous as the other synagogues in the Jewish quater, but is one of the oldest and nicest.
    Written June 18, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rainbowtravelgirl
    Amsterdam, The Netherlands308 contributions
    An imposing sanctuary on a hilltop. Reaching it, it evokes tranquility. Nicely laid-out parking facing it. I entered it from the ground floor, leading me to a serene chapel where other small chapels of Mary and Saints are found. In the center of the big chapel is the relic of St. John Paul below the Holy Mass Altar. Around it are the different Marian portraits of the holy saint. Not far from this is a special chapel dedicated to St. John Paul's tomb with the vial relic on top of it. It is moving to pray next to the tomb. In the upper part of the Sanctuary is the huge and beautiful Church. The wall mosaic around it depicting St. John Paul's life are amazingly nice creation. One can just sit and be amazed spiritually. The most profound corner is where the exposition of the blooded cassock during the attempted assasination in 1981. Outside the Sanctuary is a museum where one can relive the life of the St. John Paul. From his childhood to the gifts he received during his 25 years of Papacy from different countries. There is an entrance fee. In the middle of the garden is a lifesize statue of Poland's beloved son. If you are not coming with your own car, ask the taxi to wait for you. There is a cafeteria. Toilet is onsite too. Sanctuary is not far from the city of Crakow. It overlooks the Basilica of Divine Mercy.
    Written November 27, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Pernille I
    Copenhagen, Denmark4,857 contributions
    The Tempel synagogue is one of 7 synagogues in Krakow; and still serves but only for a few services a year. Mainly it is being used as a venue for concert and cultural festivals.

    The exterior is in a Moorish style reminiscent of the great synagogue of Budapest, and it is placed in the same way on a pointed square between 2 streets.

    The interior is finely decorated with a golden ceiling, a bima and stained glass windows including the names of the donators from the community. It is definitely lavish and extravagant and a must-see visit on the tour of the Krakow synagogues.

    The entrance fee is 10 PLN (2 EUR) which also helps to keep renovations going after the synagogue was badly damaged during the war.
    Written April 18, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • HCovik
    Atlanta, GA3,299 contributions
    What caught my eye first was the arcaded chapel-like structure in front of the church near the church entrance. It's know as the Garden of Olives and used to be the cemetery chapel and has some interesting late 15th century sculptures.

    The church itself is Gothic and built in the 2nd half of the 14th century as a cemetery chapel. It was remodeled in the 17th century in the baroque style and it pretty much looks now as it looked then. The arcaded area outside is what reminds us of its original function.

    The Gothic crucifix in the high altar and a stone Pieta in a chapel remind of us earlier days. The church is still rich when it comes to decorations and frescoes. but less over the top as its other baroque siblings. The fact that it belonged to the Jesuits for quite some time may have something to do with it. The church is free, so do not hesitate to walk in.
    Written September 28, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Pernille I
    Copenhagen, Denmark4,857 contributions
    Another of the 7 synagogues of Krakow is the Kupa synagogue; its origins going back to the 17th century but since it has had a tormented history.

    The building is quite simple from the outside; but the inside is beautifully decorated. As it was burnt down, it is still in a constant renovation and your 10 PLN (2 EUR) will help fund that work.

    The colors are all very subdued and subtle; pastel blues and creamy colors with touches of orange. Below the upper gallery runs a frieze with the zodiac signs, and scenes from biblical cities - Jerusalem, Hebron etc.

    The decorations are mostly more recent, but you can find a part of the old decorations on a corner wall with Hebrew inscriptions.
    Written April 18, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ann_CatherineNorway
    Oslo, Norway351 contributions
    Nice little church. Do step in if you are passing by. A few nice side alters and peaceful atmosphere. Local church feeling
    Written June 27, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • TheShis
    Tel Aviv, Israel39,117 contributions
    This time around, the synagogue was closed for repairs, but we did manage to get into the building and see some of the repairs being done.
    As for the exterior of the building, it's beginning to show its age.
    Written March 20, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Krakow





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Forum posts were selected by looking for forum titles asking specific questions and taking the top showtopic page by total pageviews as the optimal topic.
Has anyone done both tours before?
Do you think the former is worth doing?

I have done the tour with a guide - so i guess techncially i have gone on the "General tour 3.5h" or something similar, but i am only at Auschwitz 1 for 1.5h, and then we rushed to Auschwitz 2-Birkenau for 1h. i recently went on a organized tour from Krakow bc i couldnt secure guided tour ticket at the last minute from the website. but i think my guide may a person in training (?) cos he was guiding us with an Auschwitz educator standing beside him all the time. I still couldnt figure out whether he is a new guide in training within Auschwitz, or he needs to be chaperoned bc he is a guide hired from the 'outside' (ie not someone hired by the Aushcwitz site). I am inclined to believe it is the latter, but not sure, so would appreciate anyone with better insights. So this means there could be 2 diff guides - one is a tour agency guide from the outside, and another is a Auschwitz educator guide?
Answer: for future readers - I did the 6 hour tour and it is a better pace,smaller group and you visit a few more places in the camps. Our guide was very good. Worthwhile if you have more than a passing interest in the history. We were at Auschwitz for 3 hours and birkenau for 2.25 hours. Crowds were smaller that day so we didn’t have to stop to wait for other groups. I then returned to Auschwitz around 4pm to walk through on my own and to visit some of the country specific exhibits - Hungary’s exhibit is especially good. In order to return to camp 1, I purchased free tickets ahead of time since you have to renter the queue.

Tour vs self guided - 100% go on a tour. The guides paint a more complete picture than you will get from a guidebook. You can arrive early if you want to see birkenau before it gets crowded and walk on your own. No ticket is required to visit birkenau.

Auschwitz vs birkenau - you want to see both. Auschwitz is more intact and has almost all of the exhibits. The exhibits of luggage,eyeglasses, shoes, and human hair is overwhelming. Birkenau is 25x the size of Auschwitz camp 1. Many buildings were destroyed but you can get a better feel for the scale of the genocide. Even with most buildings destroyed you get a chill realizing how people were sorted and put to death. Many times within hours of arrival.

Krakow ghetto - to round out your experience walk through the ghetto and Jewish quarter. Visit the synagogues. Realize the size of the Jewish community that thrived in this area and then 90% of them were killed.

Last - learn about the history that led up to the holocaust. Hitler did not rise up in a vacuum. There were 20 years of anti-semitism that occurred before the death camps. The nazis were very good at isolating Jews, cutting them off from day to day community and business involvement and then eventually shipped them off to forced labor and death. Awareness of that history will help prevent this from ever happening again.
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