ST. MARY’S BASILICA

Saint Mary’s Basilica is a gothic pearl of sacral architecture!

Built in the 14th century, its foundations date back to the early 13th century and serve as one of the best examples of Polish Gothic architecture. It is particularly famous for its wooden altarpiece carved by Veit Stoss  in XV century. In 1978 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the Historic Centre of Kraków.

The higher tower of the Church called ” The Buggle Call Tower” is topped by a  marvellous gothic cupola constructed in 1478, made up by an octagonal pointed spire, decorated with  a gilded  Virgin Mary’s Crown in 1666 and surrounded by 8 lower turrets.

On every hour, a trumpet signal—called the Hejnał mariacki—is played from the top of the  tower. The melody ends abruptly with no completion , to commemorate a famous 13th century trumpeter who was shot in the throat while sounding the alarm before a Mongol attack on the city. The noon-time hejnał is heard across Poland and abroad broadcast live by the Polish national Radio 1 Station.