St. Anne's Church in Krakow

St. Anne's Church in Kraków is a Roman Catholic monument with a rich history and valuable architectural elements. Its facade, designed after the Roman church of Santa Anastasia, is two-storied and flanked by two towers with late Baroque spires. It features reliefs depicting saints and the Eye of Divine Providence. The interior of the church is a single-nave structure with a transept and side chapels that resemble side aisles, often leading to it being mistaken for a three-nave design. The church is the work of Baltazar Fontana and also contains paintings by Karol Dankwart and Monti. The presbytery is adorned with an image of St. Anne Samotrzeć, and the altar features statues of saints. The nave houses depictions of apostles painted using the en grisaille technique, with a request for their symbolic association with gemstones. The transept contains the confessio of St. John Cantius and a monument to Copernicus. The history of the church dates back to the 14th century when the first wooden temple was founded. After a great fire, a new Gothic brick church was erected, and at the end of the 16th century, it was decided to build an even larger temple, with construction beginning in 1689. St. Anne's Church was a place of worship for John Cantius, whose tomb attracted pilgrims. After many transformations, including architectural changes, the church underwent renovation and was consecrated in 1703. In the 19th century, the collegiate chapter was dissolved but was restored in 1993. It is worth adding that the church was also the site of important events for Bishop Karol Wojtyła, the future Pope John Paul II, who frequently visited and celebrated Mass here. St. Anne's Church is considered one of the most beautiful examples of Baroque architecture in Poland, admired both for its structure and its rich artistic finishes, which stand as a testament to local culture and history.