Krakow, Poland’s former capital and its spiritual and cultural heart, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It can rightly be called a city of saints. Some, such as Saint Stanislaus, Bishop of Krakow, and Saint Jadwiga, Queen of Poland, lived centuries ago; others walked the streets of Krakow much more recently, including Saint Faustina Kowalska, apostle of Divine Mercy, and Saint John Paul II, the first Polish Pope.
Known as the “City of Kings and Saints”, Krakow is home to Poland’s oldest university and an extraordinary wealth of artworks and architectural masterpieces. A particular treasure is Kazimierz, one of Europe’s best-preserved historic Jewish districts, which greatly enriches the city’s cultural heritage.
Krakow’s churches reflect its eventful history and deeply rooted faith. The majestic cathedral on Wawel Hill is a symbol of Poland’s historical and religious continuity. It was the setting for numerous royal coronations and burials and is also a place of veneration for Saint Stanislaus, the patron saint of Poland. Its richly decorated interior tells the story of a thousand years of national history and faith.
St Mary’s Basilica, the spiritual centre of old Krakow, contains one of Europe’s most magnificent church interiors, including the famous altarpiece by Veit Stoss. The church is also closely connected with the history of German-Polish relations and invites visitors to experience its remarkable atmosphere.
A fascinating chapter of modern history is represented by the Lord’s Ark Church in Nowa Huta, a district originally planned as a socialist model city with no place for religion. Despite this resistance, the church was built in the late 1970s and by the end of the 1980s had become a spiritual centre of opposition to the communist regime, providing an impressive testimony to faith and courage.
The Basilica of Divine Mercy, an imposing modern church, is now a global pilgrimage destination. It is dedicated to the devotion to Divine Mercy arising from the mystical message of Jesus to Sister Faustina: “Do not be afraid. I am always with you.” Childlike trust, expressed in the words “Jesus, I trust in You”, and active love of one’s neighbour stand at the heart of this message. The site is also closely linked to Pope John Paul II, who worked in a quarry near Krakow as a young man during the war. During his visit in 2002, he movingly remarked: “Who would have thought that this man in wooden shoes would one day consecrate this basilica?”
