Description: Krakow - like Poland in general - is a very religious town. There are so many churches all over town that one would think their number infinite. Generally speaking, they are all interesting to visit for their architecture or works of art. I tried visiting as many as I could, and ended up with this (very subjective) selection of the 4 most interesting ones.
Kosciol Mariaki - Saint Mary`s Church. Of all the churches I visited I found this one, located on the Rynek, the most fascinating of all. The interior has been repainted in Art Nouveau style by the Polish artists Stanislaw Wypianski and Jozef Mehoffer, and it looks very nice. There are also 2 different towers, which is quite unusual for churches: the higher one can be accessed for great aerial views and photos of Krakow.
Saint Barbara`s Church - a little interesting church located right behind Saint Mary`s church, in Maly`s Rynek. Because of its close proximity to Saint Mary`s church it is often overlooked. It is well worth a visit: its architecture is very linear and graceful, and its interior reflects the same simplicity of the exterior. It surely is a nice change from those churches overloaded with decorations and ornaments.
Kosciol Sw Piotra i Pawla - the Curch of the Saints Peter and Paul. It`s the first baroque building in Cracow and was erected by Jesuits who arrived around 1580 after fleeing the Reformation. Sadly, it was closed when I went there, but guidebooks describe the interior has pretty sober: the most interesting characteristic are the 12 statues of the Apostoles on the outside gate. They are all really sculpted with care and are very daunting.
Kosciol Sw Andrzeja - Saint Andrew`s Church. It`s a tiny stone Romanesque church next to SS Peter and Paul`s church. The interior is strangely vaulted and very small and austere. Words can't do it justice: it`s definitely worth a look - the place is dimly-lit and eerie.
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