If you’re looking in Kraków for a place that marries medieval architecture with the breath of Art Nouveau avant‑garde, start at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. The interior’s atmosphere catches your attention immediately, but the real surprise is the light passing through Stanisław Wyspiański’s stained glass — their colors and compositions can captivate anyone, even if you don’t usually follow art. Experiencing these windows is both visual and intellectual: the colors seem alive, and the motifs unexpectedly refer to national and religious stories.
It’s worth coming here calmly and setting aside at least 20–30 minutes to look — the view changes with the time of day and the weather, so it’s one of those places you’ll happily return to more than once.
In the chancel and transept you’ll find Wyspiański’s stained glass designs made between 1897 and 1902. Highlights include the monumental window above the entrance often called “God the Father — Arise” or “Creation of the World”; the cycle representing the four elements — air, water, fire and earth; and the figural windows showing St. Francis and Blessed Salomea. Wyspiański treated every window as a single, coherent composition — he abandoned the traditional division into small panels, which gives his windows a monumental, modern feel.
The glass, brought from Alpine regions, has a special quality — depending on sunlight and weather, the colors seem to live, producing a rich, almost theatrical impression. That’s why the same window can look like a completely different work of art in the morning and in the afternoon.
Wyspiański’s windows were created in collaboration with a local stained‑glass workshop with a long tradition. For his projects the artist used imported glass that allowed deep colors and subtle tonal transitions. His concept was innovative: he treated the window like a large‑scale canvas, and close contact between the artist and the craftsmen was essential — the final appearance and the selection of specific glass pieces were refined in the workshop.
Today Kraków still hosts the Stained Glass Workshop and Museum on al. Krasińskiego, an institution whose history includes commissions for leading Young Poland artists. Visiting it helps you understand how large stained‑glass projects were made and why the collaboration between designer and workshop masters mattered for the final effect.
Wyspiański combined biblical and religious themes and landscape elements with native plant ornamentation — a fusion of universal content and local aesthetics. In the “God the Father” window, forms suggesting the act of creation dominate; the elements cycle is a visual tale of nature’s primary forces, expressed in the Art Nouveau language of line, rhythm and color, where each element carries symbolic weight. The saint figures are stylized and integrated into the window’s composition so they harmonize with the whole rather than overpower it.
For visitors this is a lesson in better looking: pay attention to details — how strips of glass are joined, the drawing of contours and the skillful use of backgrounds that provide depth without excessive naturalism.
Besides the Basilica of St. Francis, you can see Wyspiański’s stained‑glass designs in other Kraków locations, for example in the Medical Society House and in collections that keep his cartoons and sketches. The Stained Glass Workshop and Museum on al. Krasińskiego is especially worth a visit — there you can get close to the workshop where stained‑glass projects for Kraków’s churches and institutions were carried out. Museums and municipal collections also preserve cartoons and studies that reveal the artist’s creative process.
If you want to understand technique and history better, plan a visit to the Stained Glass Museum. Tours are run with a guide and are recommended because a guide will show parts of the workshop and explain the stages of making a stained glass window.
Visit the basilica outside peak tourist hours — early morning or late afternoon usually offers a quieter experience. Remember that light affects how the windows look — on sunny days colors are most saturated, but even on cloudy days the compositions remain powerful.
The church is a place of worship — keep silence and show respect, especially during services. Dress does not have to be formal, but avoid clothing that would be obviously inappropriate for a church. Photography is usually allowed without flash, but when liturgies or repairs are underway the church may impose restrictions.
If you’d like a fuller story about Wyspiański and the artistic context of the windows, consider booking a guided tour with Malgorzata Kasprowicz — a personalised tour can be tailored to your interests and can include the basilica, the Stained Glass Museum and other Wyspiański‑related sites.
A common mistake is a hurried glance — the windows reward time and quiet; rushing kills the atmosphere. Reserve time and switch off your phone for a while.
Another error is visiting during Mass expecting free roam — check service times before your visit to avoid closed areas or limitations.
Visitors also forget that the windows look different at various times of day — if you want the full color spectacle, consider returning once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
The basilica’s central location means you can reach excellent cafés and restaurants in minutes. If you’re in the mood for coffee in a cozy setting, try one of the well‑known Old Town cafés. For a full meal, choose a restaurant with good reviews serving local or European cuisine — Kraków has many places offering authentic flavors that appeal to visitors.
If you’d like specific recommendations, I can suggest tried‑and‑tested spots based on your preferences (vegetarian, traditional Polish, desserts, quick coffee).
Wyspiański treated stained glass like a stage — he designed full‑scale cartoons close to the final window size, so he was already thinking about the ultimate effect in the church’s light at the drawing stage.
The glass used has optical properties that change not only with sunlight but also with weather and humidity, so the same compositions can surprise you on different days.
The basilica has undergone conservation work in recent decades, and the local community actively supports care for polychromes and stained glass — Wyspiański’s works require ongoing conservation attention.
Is entry to the basilica free? - Entrance to the church is usually free, though there may be fees for special tours or guided visits.
When is the best time to see the windows at their most impressive? - Sunny days give the most vivid colors; different times of day produce different effects, so if possible visit at two different times.
Can I take photos? - Usually yes, without flash; please be respectful during services.
Does the Stained Glass Museum require booking? - The Stained Glass Museum runs guided visits — it’s a good idea to check availability and reserve tickets or a spot in advance.
If you’d like me to show you these places in person and tell you more about technique, symbolism and Wyspiański’s artistic context, I invite you to book a private guided tour with Malgorzata Kasprowicz. Details and booking information are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. The route can be adapted to your interests: a short, focused visit to the basilica or a longer tour combining the basilica with the Stained Glass Museum and other Wyspiański sites.
If you found this article helpful, please share it with friends or on social media — the more people who discover these places with respect and curiosity, the better the chance they’ll be preserved for future generations. Thank you and see you in Kraków!
