St. Mary's Basilica Guide
Krakow's Gothic masterpiece — the world's largest wooden altarpiece, the legendary Hejnal trumpet call, and centuries of sacred art
St. Mary's Basilica (Kosciol Mariacki) is Krakow's most famous church and one of the finest Gothic structures in Poland. Rising from the northeast corner of the Main Market Square with its distinctive asymmetric twin towers, this 14th-century basilica has been the city's principal house of worship for over 700 years.
The church is renowned worldwide for two treasures: the breathtaking Veit Stoss Altarpiece — the largest Gothic wooden altarpiece in existence — and the Hejnal Mariacki, a trumpet call played from the taller tower every hour that has become the most recognizable sound in Poland. Inside, every surface is covered with stunning polychrome decoration, Gothic ribbed vaults painted with gold stars on deep blue, and extraordinary stained glass windows spanning from medieval to Art Nouveau periods. A visit to St. Mary's is an essential Krakow experience.
11:30-18:00
Tourist Hours
10-15 zł
Entry Fee
11:50 AM
Altar Opens
14th c.
Year Built
Essential Information
Tourist visiting hours are Monday-Saturday: 11:30 AM - 6:00 PM, Sunday: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM (hours may vary seasonally). Entry costs 10 zł for adults, 5 zł reduced. The church is open for free worship during morning Mass but tourist activities are restricted during services. Tower visits require a separate 15 zł ticket with timed entry.
Arrive by 11:30 AM to secure a good position for the altarpiece opening at 11:50 AM — this is the most dramatic moment to experience the church. Weekday afternoons are the quietest for contemplative visits. For the tower, book the earliest available time slot for the best light and shortest queues.
St. Mary's Basilica stands on the northeast corner of the Main Market Square in the heart of the Old Town. Enter from Mariacki Square(the small square behind the church) for the tourist entrance. It is a 15-minute walk from Krakow Glowny train station through the Barbican and Florianska Gate. The church is visible from almost anywhere in the Old Town.
Allow 45-60 minutes for the church interior, including time to admire the altarpiece, stained glass, and polychrome decoration. Add 30-45 minutes for the tower climb. The Hejnal can be heard from the Main Market Square without entering the church — just stand in the square before any hour strikes.
What to See
Veit Stoss Altarpiece (Oltarz Wita Stwosza)
The crowning glory of St. Mary's Basilica is the massive wooden altarpiece carved by Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz) between 1477 and 1489. Standing 13 meters tall and 11 meters wide, it is the largest Gothic altarpiece in the world. The intricately carved lime wood panels depict scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary, with the central scene showing the Assumption surrounded by the Apostles. The figures are life-sized and carved with extraordinary emotional detail. The altarpiece opens daily at 11:50 AM with a ceremonial fanfare — try to be inside the church for this dramatic moment.
Hejnal Mariacki (Trumpet Call)
Every hour on the hour, a trumpeter plays the Hejnal — a five-note melody — from the taller tower of St. Mary's to the four cardinal directions. The melody famously stops abruptly mid-phrase, commemorating a legendary 13th-century watchman who was shot through the throat by a Mongol arrow while sounding the alarm during the 1241 invasion. At noon, the Hejnal is broadcast live on Polish national radio, a tradition maintained since the 1920s. Stand in the Main Market Square and look up at the tower windows to watch the trumpeter in action.
Gothic Architecture and Interior
The basilica's exterior features two asymmetric towers — the taller one at 80 meters topped with a Gothic spire and golden crown, the shorter one at 69 meters capped with a Renaissance dome. Inside, the church is a masterpiece of Gothic art with soaring ribbed vaults painted in deep blue with gold stars, stunning stained glass windows (including Art Nouveau windows by Stanislaw Wyspianski and Jozef Mehoffer), and walls covered in intricate polychrome decoration by Jan Matejko. The overall effect is breathtaking — one of the most beautiful church interiors in Poland.
Tower Views
The taller tower of St. Mary's Basilica is open to visitors seasonally (typically April to October). Climbing the 239 narrow wooden steps rewards you with a spectacular 360-degree panorama of Krakow — the Main Market Square directly below, the Cloth Hall, Wawel Castle in the distance, and on clear days, the Tatra Mountains on the southern horizon. You also get an up-close view of the trumpeter's chamber where the Hejnal has been played for centuries. Entry is limited to small groups and costs 15 zł — book in advance as slots sell out quickly.
Photography Tips
Exterior Photography
The best exterior shot of St. Mary's Basilica is from the Main Market Square with the Cloth Hall in the foreground. Stand at the intersection of Florianska Street and the square for the classic frontal view of both towers. Early morning (7-8 AM) offers the best light as the sun rises behind you and illuminates the facade. The evening floodlighting creates equally dramatic shots against the darkening sky.
Interior Photography Restrictions
Photography is strictly limited inside St. Mary's Basilica. As of current regulations, photography without flash is permitted in most areas, but flash photography and tripods are completely prohibited. The altarpiece is difficult to photograph well due to low light and distance. Consider purchasing the excellent guidebook with professional interior photographs instead. Video recording is generally not permitted during services.
Capturing the Hejnal
To photograph or video the trumpeter, position yourself in the Main Market Square looking up at the taller tower. Use a zoom lens (200mm or longer) to capture the trumpeter in the window. The performance happens quickly — about 30 seconds per direction — so be ready with your camera before the hour strikes. A good position is near the Adam Mickiewicz monument in the center of the square, which provides an unobstructed upward angle.
Nearby Food & Cafes
Hawelka
A Krakow dining institution operating since 1876 on the Main Market Square. While it is a tourist-facing restaurant, the food quality remains high with excellent zurek (sour rye soup), duck confit, and traditional Polish desserts. The real draw is the stunning Art Nouveau interior with original woodwork and period details. Request a window seat for views of St. Mary's Basilica. Slightly pricier than off-square options but the setting is worth it for a special meal.
Chimera Salad Bar
Located on Sw. Anny Street just steps from the square, Chimera offers a unique self-service salad bar concept in a beautifully restored cellar. Choose from 30+ fresh salads, grains, and vegetable dishes — perfect for a lighter lunch between heavy Polish meals. The upstairs restaurant serves full Polish cuisine in an elegant courtyard setting. The cellar salad bar is the budget-friendly way to eat well near the square.
Przystanek Pierogarnia
This beloved pierogi restaurant on Szewska Street (a 3-minute walk from the square) serves some of the best dumplings in the Old Town. Choose from classic ruskie (potato and cheese), meat-filled, spinach and feta, or seasonal specials like wild mushroom or blueberry (sweet). Portions are generous, the dough is handmade, and prices are very fair for the Old Town location. Often has a short queue at lunch — worth the wait.
Pro Tips
Arrive for the Altar Opening
The most magical moment in St. Mary's is when the Veit Stoss Altarpiece panels open at 11:50 AM with a trumpet fanfare inside the church. The carved figures are revealed in a theatrical unveiling that has been happening daily for centuries. Arrive by 11:30 AM and position yourself in the main nave facing the altar for the best view of this extraordinary daily ritual.
Dress Appropriately
St. Mary's is an active place of worship and a dress code applies. Cover shoulders and knees — no tank tops, shorts, or revealing clothing. This is enforced at the entrance. Carry a light scarf or shawl in summer to throw over bare shoulders. The church interior is cool even in summer, so a layer is practical as well as respectful.
Use the Tourist Entrance
The tourist entrance is at the rear of the church on Mariacki Square (Plac Mariacki), not the main front door facing the Main Market Square. This is where you purchase tickets and enter during tourist hours. The front entrance is reserved for worshippers attending Mass. If you arrive and see a locked front door, simply walk around to the back of the church.
Book Tower Tickets Early
Tower visits are limited to small groups and time slots fill up quickly, especially in summer. Purchase your tower ticket as early in the day as possible from the ticket office on Mariacki Square. Better yet, check if online booking is available. The tower is closed in bad weather and during winter months, so plan accordingly if tower views are a priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
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