The Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul on Grodzka Street is the first Baroque church in Kraków and a spot worth adding to a weekend walking route through the Old Town. The façade with its statues of the apostles already draws attention, but inside you’ll find further surprises — a monumental interior, an interesting crypt and even occasional scientific demonstrations for visitors. This article will help you plan the visit, point out what not to miss, and suggest how to combine sightseeing with a good coffee and a tasty lunch.
This place combines historical importance, architecture and active parish life. The basilica was built at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries on the initiative of the Jesuits and with support from King Sigismund III Vasa — it was modeled on Roman churches such as Il Gesù and Santa Susanna. As such, it’s an excellent example of early Baroque in Poland, visible both in the interior layout and in the imposing façade.
Beyond its artistic value, the church is a living place of worship: masses, sacred music concerts and community events are held here — so a visit can be both a cultural and a spiritual experience. For many visitors it’s also a convenient stop between the Main Market Square and Wawel Hill.
The first thing you’ll notice is the two-tier stone façade inspired by Roman models and the fence with statues of the twelve apostles. The sculptures stand on a plinth in front of the entrance and are one of the most characteristic features of the monument — the originals were made in the 18th century and the figures currently at the fence are copies. The façade and fence fit beautifully into the historic layout of Grodzka Street, so it’s worth pausing for a moment to take in the details and take a photo from the street perspective.
Inside, the basilica is dominated by a single nave with a transept and dome. Notice the ceiling decoration depicting scenes connected to Saints Peter and Paul, and the late-Baroque main altar. At the pillar under the dome you’ll find a baptismal font moved here from the demolished Church of All Saints — a tangible reminder of earlier phases of Kraków’s sacred history.
Don’t forget to visit the side chapels — many hold interesting sculptures and epitaphs that tell the stories of local families and benefactors. If you can, take a quiet walk down the nave and study the sculptural and painted details at a relaxed pace.
Under the church lies a crypt that for centuries served as a burial place for important figures. Among the notable tombs is that of Piotr Skarga — the famous preacher and confessor to King Sigismund III Vasa. The crypt is sometimes closed or only open for special events, so it’s a good idea to check availability in advance, especially if you plan to visit on a weekend.
One of the unusual attractions at this church are regular demonstrations of a Foucault pendulum, which let visitors observe a live demonstration of Earth’s rotation. Demonstrations are typically held on Thursday mornings (with several sessions around mid-morning). Before traveling, call the parish office a day in advance to confirm the date and times, as the program can change.
Address: Grodzka Street 52 / 52a — the church lies conveniently on the route from the Main Market Square to Wawel, so you can easily include it during a walk. Entrance to the church is usually free because it is an active parish; however access to the crypt or participation in special events (concerts, demonstrations) may require registration or a small fee. The calmest times to visit are early morning and late afternoon outside of service times.
Remember basic etiquette: keep quiet during services, dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) and switch your phone to silent. If you plan to photograph the interior, avoid using flash when the parish requests it.
Kraków can be crowded at weekends, especially in summer and during holidays. To avoid the busiest times, come early in the morning just after opening or shortly before sunset. The best weekend route is a walk from the Main Market Square down Grodzka Street — on the way you can visit the Franciscan Basilica with Wyspiański’s stained glass windows, the Dominican Basilica, stop by small galleries and cafés and then continue toward Wawel.
If you have more time, combine the visit with the Rynek Undercroft (Market Underground) or a climb of the Town Hall Tower — both give you different perspectives on the city and make for a richer visit.
Around Grodzka and the Market you’ll find many well-known places with good reputations. It’s worth popping into a respected Old Town café such as Cafe Camelot for a relaxed coffee; for lunch consider one of the classic restaurants along the walking route serving Polish and seasonal dishes. If you’re looking for a quiet spot with a book and coffee, local bookcafés nearby often provide a pleasant atmosphere after a long morning of sightseeing.
If you want genuinely local flavors and recommended dishes, booking a table for the weekend can save you time — especially in summer or during long holiday weekends.
Typical slip-ups include arriving during a service and expecting to be able to explore freely, skipping the crypt, and not allowing time for a short coffee break in a nearby café. To avoid these, check mass times and any special events on the parish website or call ahead if you want to be sure the crypt is open, and leave time to rest between stops.
Another mistake is treating the church only as a photogenic spot — take a moment to quietly look at sculptural details and memorial plaques that tell local stories and deepen the visit.
Is entrance to the church paid? Entrance to the main interior is usually free, but some extras (the crypt, special concerts) may require a fee or prior reservation.
When are the Foucault pendulum demonstrations held? The parish typically organizes pendulum demonstrations on Thursday mornings (usually several sessions around mid-morning), but it’s wise to confirm by phone before you come as the schedule can change.
Can I take photos? Yes — but be respectful: don’t use flash, avoid photographing people during services and follow the parish’s guidelines.
Is the visit suitable for children? Yes — although you may want to plan the visit so it doesn’t conflict with nap times for the youngest children. Architectural details and stories can be interesting for kids when presented briefly and vividly.
The basilica not only impresses with Baroque style — it also stands as an example of the Counter-Reformation’s architectural response in Poland: the Jesuits wanted church architecture to convey religious message directly and spectacularly, hence the monumental interior solutions. Less obvious is the fact that some sections of the stone fence and the apostle statues have been replaced over time due to weathering — today’s figures are copies of older works.
A small practical note: from a tourist’s point of view, the basilica nicely “closes” a stage of the route along Grodzka — after seeing it many visitors naturally continue toward Wawel, which makes it a convenient orientation point during a weekend walk.
If you’re planning a weekend in Kraków, add the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul to your walking route — a few minutes spent here gives a clear sense of Baroque changes in Polish sacred architecture and provides pleasant, peaceful moments away from the Market’s bustle. Share this article with friends or on social media if you think someone will find it useful.
If you prefer to explore with a guide who knows the city inside out, consider booking a private guided tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details and service information are available directly on the guide’s website. Have a great trip in Kraków!
