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Pope John Paul II Academy

is a big neo-Gothic building just north of Wawel.

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Listing from Wikivoyage: Kraków/Old Town, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

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Bishop Erazm Ciołek Palace
Pałac Biskupa Erazma Ciolka
ul. Kanonicza 17
SeeOld Town
Wawel Cathedral
Known in full as Królewska Bazylika Archikatedralna śś. Stanisława i Wacława na Wawelu, or the "Royal Archcathedral Basilica of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslaus on Wawel Hill". On 2 Nov 1946 a talented young priest called Karol Wojtyla conducted his first mass here, the day after his ordination; he went on to become the city's bishop, Pope John Paul II, and a modern Saint. The building is Gothic, built from 14th C. Several crypts and chapels house the remains of Poland's monarchs, nobility, heroes and poets. The Sigismund Tower, ascended by rickety wooden steps, contains the huge Sigismund Bell. The Holy Cross chapel and the Queen Sophia chapel to the right and left of the main entrance (although they are at the entrance if you follow the standard walking tour you don't see them until near the end) are both of great interest, the Holy Cross chapel has 14th century frescoes and the red marble sarcophagus of King Casimir IV Jagiellon while the Queen Sophia chapel is also very lavishly decorated, however they are not the only gems even the casual tourist will find sights of great interest at every turn. Allow at least 1 hour for a visit. Don't forget the small John Paul II museum just across the yard.
Mon-Sat 09:00-16:00, Sun 12:30-16:0025 zł
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St. Giles Church
This church was founded in the 11th century by Duke Wladyslaw Herman as a votive offering for the birth of their son. It was later rebuilt in the Gothic style at the end of the 13th century. The Holy Mass is offered in English on Sundays at 10:30.
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St. Martin Church
This church was raised in 1637 in Baroque style for the Discalced Carmelite nuns, but is now a Protestant church. The Gothic crucifix above the altar is one of the oldest in Poland.