Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Krakow

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Krakow, located at 52a Grodzka Street, is a monumental Baroque architectural landmark and the first of its kind in Krakow. It was founded by King Sigismund III Vasa for the Jesuits, and its construction began in 1597 under the direction of several architects, including Giovanni Trevano, who ultimately gave it its final form. The church features a single-nave body with a transept and a rectangular presbytery ending in an apse. The two-story facade, made of dolomite, is inspired by Roman churches and stands out with its numerous sculptures of saints. The interior of the church captivates with its stucco decorations and richly adorned main altar from 1735, reflecting the Baroque theatricalization of liturgy, where light is focused on the celebrant. The church houses various artistic elements, such as monuments to notable figures including Piotr Skarga and Kajetan Florkiewicz, as well as valuable works of art like paintings by Szymon Czechowicz. The crypts beneath the church contain the tombs of important figures in Polish history, such as Piotr Skarga and Krzysztof Penderecki, and since 2010, efforts have been underway to establish a National Pantheon there. Over the years, the church has served various functions since its consecration in 1635. After the dissolution of the Jesuit order in 1773, it came under the management of various institutions, including the Commission of National Education and the Jagiellonian University. Interestingly, since 1830, the church has served the Parish of All Saints, and its interior features a Foucault pendulum, which allows observers to witness the Earth's rotation. All of this makes the church not only a place of prayer but also a significant point on Krakow's cultural map, with a rich history and importance to the local community.