THE BERNARDINE CHURCH

The Bernardine Church also known as the Church of St Bernardine of Siena  is  located directly at the foot of the Wawel Hill.

The  first  wooden church was built here in XV c. as a foundation of Cardinal Zbigniew Oleśnicki for the Reformed Franciscans, known locally as Bernadines .

Unfortunately it was completely destroyed during the Swedish Deluge. The present day church was erected in  17th century and is a great example of a baroque style.

It is a three-aisled basilica with a transept  and dome hidden behind the two  facade’s towers. The high altar and the four side-altars are a great example of baroque woodcarving.

Worth noticing in St. Anne’s Chapel is  a sculpture of The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne from the workshop of Veit Stoss and also a baroque painting  depicting “The Dance of Death”   from 17th-century.

Another amazing feature is a chapel with  a mausoleum of St. Simon of Lipnica , who was a Bernardine monk who lived in the 15th century and fell victim to a plague whilst helping the sick.

This is absolutely beautiful church which is worth visiting!