St. Mary's Church

St. Mary's Church (Kosciól Mariacki) in Krakow is a large 14th-century church especially famed for its magnificent wooden altarpiece.

Krakow's original St. Mary's Church was destroyed during the 13th-century Tartar raids; rebuilding began relatively soon after.

The present church was built on the foundations of its predecessor, which was built before the town plan of 1257. This is why it stands slightly askew from the main square.

The new St. Mary's Church was completed in 1397; the towers were added in the 15th century.

In the 20th century, St. Mary's Church made an appearance in the film Schindler's List.

The church's two towers (15th century) are noticeably of different heights. Legend has it that they were built by two brothers, one of whom grew jealous of the other's work and killed him with a sword. You can even see the purported murder weapon, hanging in the gate of the Sukiennice.

The hushed interior, vibrant with color under a starry blue vault, is a must-see. The effect recalls that of Paris' Sainte-Chapelle or Rome's Santa Maria Sopra Minerva.

But the undisputed highlight of the interior is the magnificent 15th-century wooden altarpiece by the master carver Wit Stwosz (Veit Stoss). Incorporating more than 200 carved and painted figures, the panels depict medieval life in detail. The figure in the bottom right-hand corner of the Crucifixion panel is believed to be Stwosz' self-portrait.

Another major highlight is the lone trumpeter in the high tower, who plays a strange hourly call known as the "Hejnal Mariacki." Ringing out to mark each hour, it breaks off on an abrupt half-note to commemorate an unknown bugler who was struck in the throat by a Tartar arrow as he tried to warn the city of the invaders.