Nestled in the heart of the Jewish District, Krakow’s Corpus Christi Church is a magnificent celebration of the power of and respect for the Polish Catholic Church. Legend says that the church was built on the spot where a thief, who had robbed nearby All Saints’ Church, repented and dropped his spoils. The priests who had been chasing him witnessed the miracle of a mysterious light coming from the spot where the goods were left. In celebration of the miracle, they built a church on that very spot. Visit at night, when the Gothic architecture is beautifully illuminated, and you will understand the source of the story.
The church is a plain brick construction from the outside. Step inside to be impressed. Walk down the aisles and appreciate the Gothic walls, which beautifully contrast with late Baroque altars on each pillar. At the front, marvel at the pulpit, a masterpiece of 18th-century Polish carpentry, featuring a full golden boat being held up by two mermaids. Turn to the enormous golden altar, built in the early 1600s. Peek behind it to admire the traditional woodwork adorning the stalls. Pay your respects at the beautiful Renaissance-era mausoleum of St. Stanislaw Kazimierczyk.
Stay around after viewing the church to meander down the quiet cloistered path that leads to the monastery. The Canons Regular of the Lateran have inhabited this monastery since the church’s building, and not much has changed. Look inside the old monastic school and wander around the beautiful gardens and 17th-century gazebo. Try to find the openings in the side of the building where meals were passed to the lepers who once lived here.
Reach the church in 30 minutes from the central station on foot. Since it is located in the heart of the Kasimierz, Krakow’s Corpus Christi Church is a convenient addition to a tour of the Jewish District. The church opens to the public every day, except during services. Dress conservatively. Refrain from wearing shorts or tank tops, or bring a covering for your bare skin.
