Bishop's Palace and Museum, Krakow
Entrance to the Bishop's Palace. Photo
Szczur.
Exterior view of the Bishop's Palace. Photo
Peter Burgess.
"Thank you JP II" mosaic outside the Bishop's Palace. Photo
hugovk.
Polish and Vatican flags fly on the Bishop's Palace. Photo
hugovk.The Bishop's Palace in Krakow is a must-see for fans of the late Pope John Paul II, who lived here as the Archbishop of Kraków until his elevation to pope in 1978. Housed in the palace is the Archdiocesan Museum, which is also centered around the building's illustrious former resident.
History
Karol Wojtyła, the future Pope John Paul II, moved here on August 10, 1944, as a student of the clandestine Krakow Archdiocese Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood on November 1, 1946 by Cardinal Adam Sapieha in his private chapel.
Karol Wojtyła took up his residence in the palace as Archbishop of Krakow in 1958, where he remained until he elected to the Holy See on October 16, 1978. Pope John Paul II always stayed in this palace during his pilgrimages to Krakow.
For weeks following the death of the beloved Polish pontiff, the square in front of the Palace was filled with flowers, memorials and people praying for the peace of his soul.
What to See
Above the stately entrance in the yellow-hued facade is the famous window from where the Pope would welcome the youth of Krakow as they arrived to meet him.
The palace courtyard contains a statue of John Paul II, a gift of the artist Jole Sensi Croci presented in May 1980.
Inside is the Archdiocesan Museum, which has mostly been given over to the legacy of the Pope. It includes a fine collection of gifts presented to the pope by heads of state from around the world. There is also nice collection of sacral painting and sculpture dating from the 13th century.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Archdiocesan Museum |
| Type of site: | Museum; bishop's palace |
| Faith: | Roman Catholic |
| Status: | Palace still in use |
| Location: | Kanonicza 19 |
| Phone: | 012/421-89-63 |
| Hours: | Tues-Fri 10-4; Sat-Sun 10-3 |
Travel Resources
- Krakow Map - our interactive map plus links to more online maps
- Krakow Guided Tours - sightseeing tours and day trips
- Krakow Hostels - search and book budget lodgings
- Krakow Hotel Reviews - unbiased reviews from fellow travelers
- Krakow Car Rentals - explore Poland with your own car
- Krakow Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Krakow
Sources
Location Map
Location map and satellite view of the Bishop's Palace and Archdiocesan Museum in Krakow. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Krakow Map or get our free Google Earth download.
