CityBuddy
St. Mary's Basilica (Kościół Mariacki)
Best time to visit
Early morning on weekdays avoids tour groups and gives quieter access to the altarpiece; late afternoon light works well for stained glass photography.
Budget tips
Small admission fee for non-worship visitors, with a separate charge for the tower climb; attend a weekday mass for free entry and bring student ID for reduced rates.
Recommended for
Art and architecture lovers, History buffs, Photography enthusiasts, Religious and cultural travelers
Plan your visit
45-60 minutes
About
Faits rapides: A sudden, piercing five-note trumpet call cuts across the square every hour from the taller tower, halting mid-melody to honor a legendary trumpeter. Inside, a colossal Gothic wooden altarpiece dominates the chancel, its hundreds of carved figures and restored polychrome still making many visitors gasp.
Points forts: The colossal Gothic altarpiece carved by Veit Stoss between 1477 and 1489 rises about 13 meters, its lacquered oak figures glowing with cracked gold leaf and the faint scent of centuries-old beeswax when you lean in close. Each hour a lone trumpeter plays the hejnał from the highest tower and deliberately stops mid-melody to honor the 1241 trumpeter who, legend says, was shot in the throat while sounding the alarm.
Insider tips
- Wear modest clothing, the basilica is an active parish and services are held regularly.
- Photograph the Veit Stoss altarpiece from the central nave around midday when sunlight brings out carved details.
- Buy a tower ticket online or arrive shortly before closing to avoid the long midday queue for the tower climb.
- Avoid guided tours during peak summer, explore the chapels at your own pace in early morning for quieter photography.
Cliquez pour réserver une visite guidée GRATUITE à pied à Krakow, Poland
La meilleure façon de découvrir une ville avec un guide local.
Tip: We strongly recommend a free walking tour on your first day to get to know the city with a local guide. They usually cover all main attractions and you can ask for personal recommendations based on your interests for the next days. Book early as spaces fill up fast!
Reviews
Reviews (4)
4.3Arrived at 8am, almost no line. Small fee to climb the tower was worth it for the view, interior free but packed later.
Sunset visit was magical, modest entry fee for the tower and altar area, lines were long but moved fast and the stained glass made it worth it.
Went at 2pm and it was packed. The organ concert cost extra but was the highlight, skip the short guided tour unless you love crowds.
Very beautiful but overcrowded; I paid for a guide and felt rushed. If you want peace go early or book a private tour, otherwise 3 stars.
