Bazylika Świętego Floriana
Churches of Kraków
Minor basilica (Roman Catholic), Stare Miasto district. Date according to Wikidata: 1185. The title of minor basilica is granted to churches by the Pope. A listed monument (heritage register).
History
St Florian's Church stands in Kleparz, at the corner of Warszawska Street and Matejki Square. It is a university collegiate church, and since 1999 it has held the title of minor basilica. According to legend, in 1184 the oxen carrying the relics of St Florian to Poland stopped here and refused to move on until it was decided to build a church on this spot in honour of the martyr. The first church was built between 1185 and 1216, and the collegiate church was consecrated by Wincenty Kadłubek, Bishop of Kraków and chronicler.
Today's church dates from the 17th century. The earlier one burned down during the Swedish siege of Kraków, when Stefan Czarniecki ordered the suburbs to be set on fire. In 1657-1684 the church was thoroughly rebuilt in the Baroque style, with the costs supported by the Kraków Academy and Bishop Andrzej Trzebicki. Bishop Mikołaj Oborski consecrated it in 1686. After another fire and damage from the time of the Bar Confederation, further elements were added in 1755-1779: the chapels of the Holy Cross and Our Lady of Sorrows by the west façade, as well as side altars and furnishings. In 1779 the church was consecrated again. The restoration and modernisation of 1902-1914 was carried out to a design by Józef Kryłowski, and Franciszek Mączyński took care of the interior furnishings.
Many well-known people are connected with the church. In 1439 John of Kęty (Jan Kanty) became a canon and cantor here, and from 1617 to 1641 the parish priest was Marcin Wadowita. In 1667 the remains of Jan Kazimierz's wife, Queen Ludwika Maria Gonzaga, were kept here temporarily, and in 1818 the coffin with the ashes of Tadeusz Kościuszko was laid here. In 1900 Stanisław Wyspiański married Teofila Pytko here. Karol Wojtyła was a curate in this church, serving here from 17 August 1949 until the end of August 1951. As Pope John Paul II, he gave it the title of minor basilica in 1999, and on 18 August 2002 he visited it during his pilgrimage to Poland.
Did you know?
Until the end of the 18th century the church was surrounded by a cemetery. After it was closed, the epitaphs remained on the church walls.