St. Mary's Basilica on the Main Market Square is more than a Krakow landmark — it's a place where history, craftsmanship and urban tradition meet in details. The main reason visitors flock here is the enormous late-Gothic altar by Veit Stoss, but the whole church works like a museum: chapels, epitaphs, polychromes and stained glass together tell a coherent story of the city's life across centuries. Take your time when you explore the basilica and pay attention to small sculptural and painted elements — they reveal most of the history and beauty.
In this guide I will lead you through the key points inside the church, suggest a route, explain a few traditions and give practical tips so your visit is as rewarding as possible. If you prefer a narrated, stress-free visit, at the end you will find information about how to book a private guided tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz, who can help plan the logistics of your trip. You can contact her via zwiedzaniekrakowa.com to arrange a visit.
The main altarpiece, called the Altar of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, is a masterpiece carved by Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz). It was created at the end of the 15th century and for centuries has drawn attention with its intricate woodcarving, wealth of detail and dramatic composition.
The retable is impressive in size and in the number of figures — the altar contains hundreds of carved figures in varied poses and expressions; the tallest reach almost three meters in height. The structure uses different types of wood: the framework and background were made from different timber than the figures themselves, which affects the visual contrast and the work's durability.
A daily ritual that excites visitors is the opening of the altar wings at noon — a tradition that gathers people on the Market Square. If you want to see the altar fully opened, plan to be in the church around 12:00.
In the second half of the 19th century the interior underwent a major transformation in the spirit of the Gothic Revival. Jan Matejko designed the main polychrome of the presbytery, and artists associated with Young Poland contributed stained glass and painted details that enriched the church's decoration. As a result, older Gothic and Baroque layers were combined with neo‑Gothic interventions, producing a multilayered interior full of historical references.
The stained glass and polychromes in the presbytery change the look of the interior depending on daylight — it’s worth visiting the church at different times to see how colours and shadows enliven sculptures and paintings.
A ring of founding chapels surrounds the main nave; each has its own history, furnishings and tombs of local families. In the chapels you will find Baroque altars, Renaissance epitaphs and polychromes by various artists. Many tombstones are historically significant — they testify to private foundations and to the civic and ecclesiastical patrons of the city.
As you move from chapel to chapel, notice stylistic shifts: late Gothic to Renaissance, Baroque to neo‑Gothic — each era left its mark. This is a great place to spot small sculptures, carved angels, inscriptions and coat‑of‑arms symbols that tell stories about former residents of Krakow.
Enter through the visitor entrance (on the right side, by the shorter tower) and first get your bearings — look toward the presbytery and the main altar. Spend a few minutes observing the altar composition from different points in the nave to spot details you can’t see from a single spot.
Then walk along one of the aisles toward the side chapels: stop at epitaphs and Baroque altars; if you take photos, do so without flash. Finish your route near the choir or the organ — if you happen upon a rehearsal or concert, the basilica's acoustics can transport you to another era.
The Veit Stoss Altar had a turbulent 20th century — it was dismantled, taken away and recovered after the war. That history adds extra meaning to the altar as a symbol of resistance to the destruction of heritage.
The hejnał mariacki — the trumpet signal played hourly from the tower and suddenly cut off — is one of the most recognisable city traditions. Legend says the interrupted tune commemorates a trumpeter who was killed while warning the townspeople of an attack. Pay attention to the view from the tower and the ritual itself — it is part of the intangible heritage of the place.
The altar is carved using different woods: the framework and background have a different character to the carved figures, which affects the colour contrasts and the finishing of the sculptures.
The visitors' entrance is on the right side of the church (by the shorter tower) — this is useful because during services the main entrance may be closed. When planning your visit remember that noon draws the largest crowds because of the altar‑wing opening ritual. If you want to avoid crowds and have more time to study details calmly, choose early morning or late afternoon.
Respect the sacred space: keep quiet during services, dress appropriately for a church, and check photography rules — usually photography without flash is allowed, but please be discreet during liturgies.
If you plan to visit with a guide, look for official guides or contact the parish — tours organised by people cooperating with the church guarantee reliable information and access to protected areas. For a private, personalised visit you can book a guided tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz via zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
Visitors often focus only on the main altar and skip the side chapels — that's a big mistake, because smaller masterpieces and literal 'micro‑histories' of Krakow are hidden there. Allow at least 20–30 minutes to walk through the entire interior.
Another mistake is using flash photography on sculptures and polychromes — it can affect conservation and disturb other visitors. Also avoid blocking the area around the altar during the wing‑opening ceremony.
Don't assume everything is open year‑round — conservation work or special events sometimes restrict access to parts of the church. If in doubt, ask at the entrance.
The Main Market Square and the area around the Basilica offer many great places to rest after sightseeing. Highly regarded and historic spots include Restaurant Wierzynek — a place with a long tradition, Restaurant Szara (on the Market) offering a modern take on Polish cuisine, atmospheric Cafe Camelot and the traditional cafés inside the Sukiennice (Cloth Hall).
If you plan to dine at a popular venue, consider booking a table — restaurants by the Square can be busy, especially in high season. For a quick bite, choose well‑reviewed local places rather than souvenir stalls if you care about quality.
Is the altar opened every day? — Yes, the wings of the altar are traditionally opened at noon; it’s a popular moment for tourists, but if you prefer a quieter viewing, choose another time of day.
Do I need to buy a ticket to go inside? — Depending on the parish’s or managing institution’s policy, visitor entry may be ticketed or based on a suggested donation; check the latest information at the entrance or via the parish.
Can I climb the tower? — Tower access is sometimes available seasonally, usually as a separate attraction with its own ticket and limited places; from the top you get a beautiful view over the Market Square and the city panorama.
If you want to learn all the stories connected with St. Mary's Basilica, see details that are easy to miss on your own, or organise a visit without logistical stress, Małgorzata Kasprowicz from zwiedzaniekrakowa.com offers professional guided tours of Krakow and its museum interiors.
Małgorzata helps plan the route, arranges ticket and restaurant reservations, and can also assist with transport and accommodation bookings — a convenient solution for visitors who want to make the most of their time in the city. Contact her in advance via zwiedzaniekrakowa.com to set the date and scope of your guided visit.
If this guide helped you prepare for a visit to St. Mary's Basilica, share it with friends or on your social profiles — it's great when more people notice these details and visit consciously.
And if you prefer to explore Krakow without stress and with a contextual story, contact Małgorzata Kasprowicz at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — she will gladly help plan an unforgettable tour of the city, museums and monuments. Thank you for reading and enjoy many beautiful discoveries in Krakow!
