Visit Krakow’s wildly colorful Franciscan Basilica beloved by saints
- Aimee Boudreaux MacIver
- 11 hours ago
- 4 min read
Krakow hosts seemingly endless churches, from tiny chapels tucked into castle crypts to soaring cathedrals dominating the city center. You could spend weeks exploring and praying in them (and you definitely should—I’m still campaigning to promote Poland as the ideal travel destination).
Amid this skyline of fairytale domes and spires, the austere brick walls and simple roof of Krakow’s Basilica of St Francis might seem plain. But inside, an explosion of glorious color offers a feast for the senses. Along with being a massive canvas of historic artwork, the basilica houses a replica of the Shroud of Turin and the tombs of Polish beati. And you won’t be the only one who loves praying here: a host of saints and blesseds are connected to the basilica, including St Maximilian Kolbe and the archbishop of Krakow, better known as St John Paul II.
The story of the Franciscan Basilica in Krakow
The origins of the Franciscan Basilica, like many medieval sites, are a blend of legend and history. The church and adjoining monastery date to around 1240, when the newly formed Franciscans were invited to Krakow. This makes the basilica one of the earliest Franciscan communities outside of Assisi. It was consecrated around 1269. Over centuries, fires and invasions led to multiple constructions and reconstructions, yet the Gothic vaults remain largely original.
According to the most romantic basilica legend, the canonized female “king” of Poland, St Jadwiga, secretly rendezvoused here with her childhood true love during a political struggle for her marriage. Ultimately, she sacrificed true love to enter a marriage that would have more benefit for her people.
The kaleidoscope of polychrome murals and stained glass resulted from an 1895 contest to repaint the interior. Young artist Stanislaw Wyspianski won and transformed much of the interior with intricate, Art Nouveau floral and geometric patterns. He also created the spectacular stained glass windows, including the 27-foot God the Father–Let There Be! window installed in 1904.
Saints who loved and prayed at the Franciscan Basilica in Krakow
St Kinga, once the Grand Duchess of Poland, was one of the early benefactors of the Franciscan community.
Blessed Salomea, Kinga’s sister-in-law, became Poland’s first Poor Clare and is buried in the basilica.
In 1715, Blessed Rafal Chylinski entered religious life here and served the community for several years.
St Jozef Sebastian Pelczar lived at the monastery from 1877-1884. As a professor at the Jagiellonian University, he celebrated daily Mass in the basilica.
St Maximilian Kolbe was assigned to the monastery in 1919. Here, he taught in the seminary and celebrated Mass in the basilica.
During World War I, laywoman and Franciscan tertiary Blessed Aniela Salawa prayed daily at the basilica as she cared for and ministered to wounded soldiers. Her tomb is now housed in the Chapel of the Passion.
Two friars from the community, Blessed Zbigniew Strzalkowski and Blessed Michal Tomaszek, were martyred as missionaries in Peru. A small memorial is located in the side chapel.
When Karol Wojtyla served as archbishop of Krakow, he lived across the street from the basilica and loved going there to pray. He returned to pray here as a cardinal and eventually as pope. St John Paul II loved this church so much that there’s now a marker on his favorite pew inside.
What to see in the Franciscan Basilica in Krakow
Feast your eyes on thousands of polychrome murals featuring florals, vines, and patterns spilling across the vaults and walls. They’re rendered in dazzling colors and metallics.
Wyspianski created eight modernist stained glass windows for the basilica. They’ve earned their share of stylistic controversy, but they remain iconic works of art history. St John Paul II especially loved the enormous God the Father–Let There Be! window.
St John Paul II’s favorite pew is marked inside the main nave.
The tomb of Blessed Aniela Salawa, a memorial to the martyred friars, and a replica of the Shroud of Turin are located in the Chapel of the Passion.
The Chapel of Blessed Salomea, the first Poor Clare in Poland, houses her tomb and the tomb of her brother, Boleslaw V, who first brought the Franciscans to Poland.
In the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows, you can pray before and venerate a miraculous painting of Our Lady of Sorrows, a beloved local devotion for centuries.
Pray the Stations of the Cross by the renowned artist Jozef Mehoffer in the Chapel of the Passion.
The cloister hosts a gallery of the archbishops of Krakow, including St John Paul II.
During the special Year of Franciscan Jubilee, you can receive a plenary indulgence as part of your pilgrimage to the basilica.
How to get to the Franciscan Basilica in Krakow
Location: Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Plac Wszystkich Swietych 5, Krakow
Nearest landmarks: The basilica is located in Old Town, a short walk from Wawel Castle and the Main Market Square.
Hours: Weekdays 10:00 am-4:00 pm; Sundays and holidays 1:00-3:00 pm
Admission: Free
Nearest transportation: Trams 1, 6, 8, 13, 18, and 69 stop nearby; it’s also easily walkable from the Old Town.
Recommended time: One hour, with additional time if you attend Mass
Recommended ages: All, including children; I think teens will especially enjoy the psychedelic artwork and colors
Dress code: Cover shoulders and knees to enter the basilica.
When to go: If you can time your visit in mid-morning or late afternoon, the angled light pouring through the windows is magical. I also recommend combining your visit with Mass, where you’ll encounter the large community of young Franciscans who live there. Visitors are not allowed to walk around to view the art during Mass.
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