Corpus Christi Basilica

Corpus Christi Basilica
Bazylika Bożego Ciała (Polish)
Basic information
Location Kraków, Poland
Affiliation Roman Catholic
District Kazimierz
Architectural description
Architectural style Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque
Completed mid-15th century
Specifications
Materials Brick, Stone

The Corpus Christi Basilica (also known as the Bazylika Bożego Ciała in Polish), located in Kraków district of Kazimierz, Poland; is a Gothic church founded by King Casimir III the Great in 1335.

History

The Basilica was erected in stages beginning in 1340 until about the mid-15th century. It was intended as a monastery-church, which explains the large-size plot on which it stands, and the presence of a monastic cemetery next to it. In 1404 King Władysław II Jagiełło had given it to the Canons Regular of the Lateran congregation brought in from Kłodzko.[1]

Interior

The interior of the church is a mixture of Polish Gothic and impressive Polish Baroque architecture; with structural features such as the marvelous Baroque high altar, a boat-shaped pulpit (1750), and the organ. The church was robbed clean and the interior utterly devastated by soldiers of the 1655 Swedish invasion (the Deluge),[2] which explains the prevalence of Baroque in its current decoration. The church is often said to be one of the most beautiful Baroque stalls in Central Europe.[3] Bartolommeo Berrecci, the famous Renaissance artist who designed the Sigismund's Chapel at Wawel, is buried there.

Interior of the basilica

See also

Churches of Kraków

References

  1. ↑ Kraków Travel: Kościół Bożego Ciała with map, and photographs. Krakowskie Biuro Festiwalowe. Retrieved October 26, 2011. (Polish)
  2. ↑ The Basilica of Corpus Christi (Kosciol Bozego Ciala) with photographs, including opening hours, at virtualtourist.com
  3. ↑ Corpus Christi Church (Kościół Bożego Ciała) including location map by Inyourpocket.com
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Coordinates: 50°02′58″N 19°56′40″E / 50.04944°N 19.94444°E / 50.04944; 19.94444 (Corpus Christi)

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