Church of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kraków

The Church of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary at ul. Smoleńsk 6 is a Neo-Romanesque church in Kraków's Nowy Świat. It is both a parish church and the conventual church of the Felician Sisters.

History

The church was built in 1882-1884 to a design by Feliks Księżarski. It was intended for Felician Sisters displaced from the Russian partition after the fall of the January Uprising. By the church, in a house in the garden, the sisters ran the Sister Salomea Student Kitchen. In 1931 the nuns ceded part of the garden, on which the Catholic House with the “Świt” cinema was built; the philharmonic hall stands there today.

The building

The church is a pseudo-basilica in the Neo-Romanesque style, with galleries. The tower is decorated with a golden crown modelled on the one on St Mary's Basilica. The church contains the tomb of Blessed Mother Angela, founder of the Felician congregation. The building is entered in the heritage register.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Smoleńsk 6, Kraków (Old Town).
• Nearby are the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi (about 400 m) and the National Museum.
• The church is active; check service times and visiting hours with the parish.