St. Hedwig's Church in Krakow

The Church of St. Hedwig, located in the Stradom district of Kraków, has a long and rich history dating back to the 14th century. The foundation of the church, likely initiated by King Casimir the Great in 1360, was continued by his sister, Queen Elizabeth of Hungary (Elżbieta Łokietkówna). From 1378, the church served as the seat of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. The original structure was built over several years, with its completion documented in 1383. The church underwent multiple reconstructions and renovations following numerous fires, including damage during the Swedish Deluge in 1655, after which it was rebuilt in the Baroque style. It was constructed as a single-nave, oriented church with a semicircular apse, its interior adorned with numerous altars. In 1796, the church and monastery buildings were taken over by the Austrians, who remodeled them into a uniform, Classicist edifice. Over time, the building’s purpose changed, serving as the headquarters of various institutions, including military authorities. After World War II, the building was converted into residential apartments. In 2010, due to the risk of structural collapse, the site was closed, and it was sold in 2013 when the Angel Poland Group decided to redevelop it. After a decade of construction work, the modern 12|14 Stradom House hotel was created, featuring 125 hotel rooms and dining facilities, while the former residential areas were replaced with an apartment complex. Notably, during construction, an old cemetery with 1,609 burial sites was discovered. The entire complex is now part of the Małopolska Route of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, highlighting its connection to local history and culture.