In the very heart of Kazimierz, at 7 Augustiańska Street, stands the Gothic Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Margaret — a 14th-century building whose history combines royal foundation, dramatic events and a medieval atmosphere. It’s a place you can visit in an hour during a relaxed bike ride: a quick look at the façade and cloisters, a short visit inside and a ride around the neighborhood will give you a sense of this special part of the city.
The church was founded by King Casimir the Great, and the Augustinian order has cared for it for centuries. Construction was never completed according to the original plans, which explains some architectural peculiarities. Gothic wall paintings have survived in the cloisters, and inside you can notice the late-Renaissance tomb of Spytek Jordan and a Baroque altar. These elements create a blend of styles worth seeing in person.
Start: Plac Wolnica or near the Bernatek Footbridge — easy places to leave a bike and set off along Kazimierz’s comfortable streets. The whole loop is short, flat and pleasant.
0–10 minutes: ride along Augustiańska Street. Notice the church façade and the entrance to the cloisters. Stop for a photo and a brief historical note.
10–30 minutes: short visit inside (if open). Inside, see Spytek Jordan’s tomb, the Baroque altar and the adjacent chapels. In the cloisters, look for fragments of the Gothic wall paintings.
30–45 minutes: ride toward Skałka (the Pauline monastery) — it’s just a few minutes by bike along Skawińska Street; it’s worth seeing the exterior and taking a moment to look at the Vistula River.
45–60 minutes: return via the riverside boulevards or through Plac Wolnica — you can stop for coffee or a small meal at one of Kazimierz’s cafés along the way. The route is flexible — if you want to spend more time inside the church, shorten the riverside leg.
Address: 7 Augustiańska Street, Kazimierz, Kraków.
The church is run by the Augustinian order; the interior is open to visitors seasonally. It’s a good idea to check opening days and hours before your visit, because during the tourist season specific visiting times are usually set.
During your visit, please respect the rules of places of worship — keep quiet, dress modestly and be cautious when photographing (some areas may have restrictions). If you plan to enter the cloisters or chapels, be aware that there can be short queues or limits on the number of people inside at once.
Kraków’s cobbled streets and tram tracks require attention — ride more slowly where there are many people or where tracks are wet.
Secure your bike with a good lock when you leave it to explore; thefts can happen in tourist areas and leaving a bike unattended is a common mistake.
Bring a small repair kit (inner tube, tire levers), a phone with a charged map and some water. A helmet and lights are good habits even on a short ride.
Kazimierz is full of well-rated places; near the route you’ll find many cafés and restaurants popular with visitors.
For coffee and cake, try one of the small cafés around Plac Wolnica or along Augustiańska Street. If you feel like Mediterranean or Middle Eastern flavors, Kazimierz has several local spots that are great after a bike ride.
A legend ties the church’s foundation to an episode involving King Casimir the Great — the building was said to be an act of penance for a dramatic event from the king’s past. Such stories add an almost theatrical context to the place.
Fragments of medieval wall paintings survive in the cloisters — a rare find in an urban monument and something to look out for even during a short visit.
Local brotherhoods and religious communities are active in the area — sometimes the parish calendar includes a concert or a small cultural event that can make a visit even more pleasant.
Assuming you can "see everything in 20 minutes" — the interior, cloisters and surroundings deserve at least 30–45 minutes if you plan to go inside.
Leaving your bike unlocked — even a short visit can end in loss if the bike isn’t well secured.
Riding carelessly over cobbles and tram tracks — going too fast in crowds is the easiest way to fall. Ride calmly and be courteous to pedestrians.
Do I need to buy a ticket to enter the church? Usually entry is free, but during the season there may be a symbolic fee or a request for donations for conservation — keep some small change with you.
How much time is enough for a relaxed visit? A quick look from the outside and a short interior visit fits into 30–45 minutes; if you want to study the cloisters and read the information panels, plan for 60 minutes.
Is the cycling route safe for beginners? Yes — the area is flat. Watch for cobbles and tram tracks and ride slower in crowded places.
If you liked this short plan, share it with friends or on social media — it’s the easiest way to help someone plan their first visit to Kazimierz.
If you want to see more or prefer a guided visit with local stories and hidden corners, you can use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details and offerings are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
If you visit in spring or autumn, pack a light rain jacket — weather can change quickly.
Public restrooms near Kazimierz can be limited; cafés often allow customers to use facilities, so a small purchase may be useful.
If you plan to visit several churches or museums the same day, check opening hours in advance — some sites close earlier or have restricted visiting days.
Remember that the church is an active parish — try to avoid loud behavior, and if a service is taking place, postpone sightseeing until it finishes.
The late-Renaissance tomb of Spytek Jordan — a notable historic monument inside the church.
Baroque altar — contrasts with the church’s Gothic architecture and makes the interior visually interesting.
Gothic wall paintings in the cloisters — small but valuable fragments of medieval art.
