Hotels near St Mary's Basilica

Krakow's St Mary's Basilica (Bazylika Mariacka) is the brick Gothic landmark on the northeast corner of the Main Market Square, and its mismatched twin towers are the visual signature of the city. Construction began in 1290; the taller north tower (81 metres) doubled as the city's main watchtower, while the shorter south tower (69 metres) carries five bells including the 8-tonne Półzygmunt.

Inside, the basilica is best known for the Veit Stoss altarpiece - a 13-metre-high carved limewood polyptych completed in 1489 and the largest Gothic altarpiece in the world. The central scene depicts the Dormition of the Virgin, surrounded by panels of the Joys of Mary; the figures are so detailed that art historians have used them to study 15th-century Polish faces and costumes. The starry blue vaulted ceiling, painted by Jan Matejko in 1890, is also unmissable.

Above all this, the basilica is famous for the hejnał - a short trumpet call played live from the top of the north tower every hour, on the hour, in four directions. The melody breaks off abruptly in memory of a 13th-century watchman shot in the throat by a Mongol arrow.

Pro Tip: The main tourist entrance is on plac Mariacki and charges admission; the side door on Floriańska Street is reserved for worshippers and is free, but you must stay behind the rail and cannot photograph. Time your visit for noon and listen for the hejnał from outside before going in.