St Mark's Church in Kraków

St Mark's Church is a Gothic Roman Catholic church in the Old Town, at św. Marka 10, on the corner with Sławkowska. Entered in the heritage register in 1974, it still serves as a parish church.

The canons regular and the beginnings of the church

Duke Bolesław V brought from Prague religious of the canons regular, living by the Rule of St Augustine, before 1263. Jan Długosz stated that construction began in 1263. The first written mention, from 1295, speaks of a monastery church dedicated to St Mark the Evangelist, belonging to the Augustinians.

Four fires and rebuildings

The church burned four times: in 1494, 1528, 1589 and 1724, and each time it was rebuilt. Conservation research has identified two phases of construction: the oldest is the chancel, and the nave with a barrel vault was built in the late 15th century. In 1936-1938 part of the monastery was demolished to make way for shops, and a thorough restoration took place in 1972-1974.

Interior

The wooden high altar was made around 1618 by the woodcarver Baltazar Kuncz. The church holds a sculpture of the Archangel Michael by Baltazar Fontana, a heart-shaped pulpit with a cross, the symbol of the order, and the Chapel of Our Lady of Częstochowa. On the outer wall of the chancel there is a carved Calvary.

The church lies a few hundred metres from the St Florian's Gate and right by Planty Park.

Practical information

• Address: Sławkowska 24 (corner of św. Marka), Kraków, Old Town. Wikipedia gives the address as św. Marka 10.
• It is an active parish church, so the hours for visiting the interior depend on services. Check them on swietymarek.pl before your visit.