Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kraków (Na Piasku)

The Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known as Na Piasku (On the Sand), stands at ul. Karmelicka 19 in Kraków's Old Town. It is a historic parish and monastery church of the Carmelites, a minor basilica since 1997.

Foundation and history

Construction began in 1395, funded by Queen Jadwiga and Władysław Jagiełło. Two years later, in 1397, the church was taken over by Carmelites from Prague. The church was entered in the heritage register in 1931.

Architecture and interior

The present church is a Baroque three-aisled basilica with a flat-ended chancel. The façade was modelled on the Roman church of Il Gesù. The high altar holds a sculpture depicting the visitation of St Elizabeth, and wooden stalls from the 17th-18th centuries have survived in the church. In a chapel by the church an image of Mary painted around 1500 by an unknown Carmelite is venerated, known as Our Lady of Kraków. The cloisters contain 18th-century frescoes.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Karmelicka 19, about 500 m from the Main Market Square; right next door is the Bagatela Theatre.
• Service and visiting times can be checked on the parish website: parafia.karmelici.pl.
• It is a working church, so dress and behaviour appropriate to a place of worship are expected.