Church Of The Assumption Of Virgin Mary, St. Mary's Church

Rynek Główny ,Kraków http://www.krakow.pl/english/instcbi/6315,inst,13423,1561,instcbi.html

About

Situated at the eastern corner of the Main Market Square. The oldest Romanesque church was built in the 1st half of the 13th century. Today's Gothic church was shaped in the 14th century, and the side chapels were added in the 1st half of the 15th century. This magnificent three-aisle basilica is topped with two towers: the higher has a beautiful Gothic cupola (15th century) with Baroque crown. It performed the function of the city watchtower, and it is from this tower that the bugle call, the musical symbol of Kraków, is played every hour.The most valuable piece in the church is the famous altar by Veit Stoss completed in the years 1477-89 and founded by the Kraków patricians and bourgeoisie. This remarkable work is the most artistically perfect late-Gothic winged altarpiece preserved in Europe. One can see the life of Mary and Christ, a huge selection of scenes with 200 figures all carved in linden, covered with polychrome and gilt.The presbytery windows retained unique stained glass of the 14th century. The church's interior is decorated with polychrome (1889-91) completed, among others, by Józef Mehoffer and Stanisław Wyspiański according to the design of Jan Matejko. One should note the huge council, Fogelweder family alderman, and syndic stalls (17th century) with carved scenes from the New Testament on the backs. The richly decorated mostly Baroque altars stand in the aisle and side chapels. These are filled with valuable paintings, e.g. of Giovanni Pittoni, Szymon Czechowicz and Dominik Estreicher. Next to the stone crucifix by Stoss there is a refined Renaissance ciborium by Gianmaria Padovano. The numerous monuments and epitaphs of Kraków burghers include bronze plaques of Salomons and Boners (16th century) and Mannerist tombs of Montelupi and Cellari families.