Description of the attraction
The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a baroque Catholic church with elements of the Romanesque style, located in the heart of the Castle Hill. The Cathedral is one of the most important monuments in the city. Today, the church rises above the low buildings of the city center and is an important spiritual symbol.
The Romanesque church was founded by Archbishop Gedeon of Krakow in 1171. The first renovation was carried out in 1243, at that time, ornamental ceramic tiles were added to the floor. Soon after the renovation, the church was destroyed by the Tatars. In 1522, the central nave of the cathedral was extended westward. The church took the form of a cross. Almost a century later, the nave was enlarged again, a new entrance to the building appeared on the north side, where marble portals were created. In 1710 the altar of St. John Cantius was built. In 1730, an image of Our Lady of the Assumption by the artist Simon Chekhovich appeared at the main altar.
In 1869, the Baroque bell tower was reconstructed according to the project of Francis Xavier Kowalski. At the end of the 19th century, thanks to the work of artists Francis Bruzdovich and Stefano Matejko, the cathedral was covered with unique frescoes. In 1914, a new organ appeared in the cathedral, and the altar vault was rebuilt.
In 1971, a big celebration took place, dedicated to the 800th anniversary of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, during which the cathedral received the honorary title of a minor basilica.
In 2007, work was carried out to replace the roof of the cathedral.
