Tserkva of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Kraków

The Tserkva of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a historic Greek Catholic church (tserkva, an Eastern-rite church) in Kraków's Old Town, at ul. Wiślna 11 and ul. Karola Olszewskiego. It was built as the Church of St Norbert, hence the former name under which it is still sometimes given.

From the Norbertine sisters' church to a tserkva

The Baroque brick church was built in 1636-1643 for the Norbertine sisters. After the Austrian authorities dissolved the monasteries, the church was handed over to the Greek Catholic parish on 26 February 1808. The parish lost its status in 1947 and regained the building in 1998. It has been in the heritage register since 25 March 1931 (no. A-85).

Interior

Inside is an iconostasis designed by Tadeusz Stryjeński, with icons by Władysław Rossowski after designs by Jan Matejko. In the vestibule is placed a more recent iconostasis by Jerzy Nowosielski from the 1960s.

Neighbourhood

The tserkva lies right by the Main Market Square, next to the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi. Close by also stands St Mary's Basilica.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Wiślna 11 (entrance from ul. Karola Olszewskiego), Old Town.
• The tserkva is active as a parish church; the times of services and the possibility of visiting must be checked with the parish.