Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

The imposing Church of St Mary was
built by the citizens of Cracow to rival
the Cracow Cathedral on Wawel Hill
(see pp188–9). Construction began
in 1355, and continued until the
mid-15th century; the lower tower
was not completed until the early
16th century. Inside, Neo-Gothic
paint ings cover the walls. This
great basilica, with its rows of side
chapels, contains an exceptional
number of works of art.

186 CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE

Baroque Porch

The exuberant pentagonal

porch was built in the mid-

18th century to a design by

Francesco Placidi.

. Crucifix
The large sand-
stone crucifix
by Veit Stoss is
a fine example
of 15th-cen-
tury sculpture.

Main

entrance

Hejnał Tower

The famous trumpet

call – the Hejnał – is

sounded hourly from

the watchtower. As per

legend, the call is

unfinished, in mem-

ory of a medieval

trumpeter, shot

while sounding

the alarm. The

Hejnał is broad-

cast live on

Polish radio

daily at noon.

STAR FEATURES

. Crucifix
. Altar of the Virgin

Ciborium

This intricately constructed

ciborium in the form of a

Renaissance church was

made by Giovanni Maria

Padovano around 1552.

For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp218–21 and pp222–5

Church of St Mary 4

Kościół Mariacka