Church of St. Anne, Kraków
Encyclopedia
The Church of St. Anne located at ulica św. Anny 11 street in the historic centre of Kraków
, Poland
, is one of the leading examples of Polish Baroque
architecture. The church's history dates back to 14th century.
. In 1407 the church was completely destroyed during a fire, but it was rebuilt the same year in the Gothic
style by King Władysław II Jagiełło. The king also attached the Church formally to the Jagiellonian University
by giving it the right to nominate the parish priest. In 1428 the choir was reconstructed and enlarged. By a charter dated October 27, 1535 St. Anne's was raised to the rank of a collegiate church
.
In 1689 the Gothic edifice was demolished as it proved too small for the growing cult of Saint John Cantius
, the patron saint of the Jagiellonian University who's laid to rest there. In 1689-1705 the new Baroque
church was erected, modelled on Sant'Andrea della Valle
in Rome. The architect was a Polonized Dutchman Tylman van Gameren
, a chief architect at the court of John III Sobieski
. The interior stucco decoration is the work of Baldassare Fontana, and the polychromy assisted by painters and brothers Carlo and Innocente Monti and Karl Dankwart of Nysa
. The painting of St. Anne in the high altar is the work of Jerzy Siemiginowski-Eleuter
, court painter of King John III Sobieski
. The 18th century paintings in the stalls showing the life of Saint Anne
are by Szymon Czechowicz
. In the transept there is an altar of the adoration of the cross to the left, and the tomb of John Cantius
, patron saint of the university, to the right.
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, is one of the leading examples of Polish Baroque
Baroque in Poland
The Polish Baroque lasted from the late 16th to the mid-18th century. As with Baroque style elsewhere in Europe, Poland's Baroque emphasized the richness and triumphant power of contemporary art forms. In contrast to the previous, Renaissance style which sought to depict the beauty and harmony of...
architecture. The church's history dates back to 14th century.
History
The church was first mentioned in 1381 in the deed of donation of Sulisław I Nawoja of GrodziecGrodziec
Grodziec may refer to the following places in Poland:*Grodziec, Greater Poland Voivodeship *Grodziec, Lower Silesian Voivodeship *Grodziec, Pomeranian Voivodeship...
. In 1407 the church was completely destroyed during a fire, but it was rebuilt the same year in the Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
style by King Władysław II Jagiełło. The king also attached the Church formally to the Jagiellonian University
Jagiellonian University
The Jagiellonian University was established in 1364 by Casimir III the Great in Kazimierz . It is the oldest university in Poland, the second oldest university in Central Europe and one of the oldest universities in the world....
by giving it the right to nominate the parish priest. In 1428 the choir was reconstructed and enlarged. By a charter dated October 27, 1535 St. Anne's was raised to the rank of a collegiate church
Collegiate church
In Christianity, a collegiate church is a church where the daily office of worship is maintained by a college of canons; a non-monastic, or "secular" community of clergy, organised as a self-governing corporate body, which may be presided over by a dean or provost...
.
In 1689 the Gothic edifice was demolished as it proved too small for the growing cult of Saint John Cantius
John Cantius
Saint John Cantius was a renowned Polish priest, Scholastic philosopher, physicist and theologian. He is also known as John of Kanty or John of Kanti.-Biography:...
, the patron saint of the Jagiellonian University who's laid to rest there. In 1689-1705 the new Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
church was erected, modelled on Sant'Andrea della Valle
Sant'Andrea della Valle
Sant'Andrea della Valle is a basilica church in Rome, Italy, in the rione of Sant'Eustachio. The basilica is the general seat for the religious order of the Theatines.-Overview:...
in Rome. The architect was a Polonized Dutchman Tylman van Gameren
Tylman van Gameren
Tylman van Gameren was a Dutch-born Polish architect and engineer who, at the age of 28, settled in Poland and worked for Queen Maria Kazimiera, wife of Poland's King Jan III Sobieski...
, a chief architect at the court of John III Sobieski
John III Sobieski
John III Sobieski was one of the most notable monarchs of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, from 1674 until his death King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. Sobieski's 22-year-reign was marked by a period of the Commonwealth's stabilization, much needed after the turmoil of the Deluge and...
. The interior stucco decoration is the work of Baldassare Fontana, and the polychromy assisted by painters and brothers Carlo and Innocente Monti and Karl Dankwart of Nysa
Nysa
- People :*Nysa , daughter of Laodice IV and Antiochus, wife of Pharnaces I of Pontus* Nysa of Cappadocia, daughter of Pharnaces I of Pontus and Nysa, wife of Ariarathes V of Cappadocia and mother Ariarathes VI of Cappadocia...
. The painting of St. Anne in the high altar is the work of Jerzy Siemiginowski-Eleuter
Jerzy Siemiginowski-Eleuter
Jerzy Eleuter Szymonowicz Siemiginowski was a prominent Polish painter and engraver of the Baroque, court painter of king John III Sobieski and a Polish–Lithuanian noble...
, court painter of King John III Sobieski
John III Sobieski
John III Sobieski was one of the most notable monarchs of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, from 1674 until his death King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. Sobieski's 22-year-reign was marked by a period of the Commonwealth's stabilization, much needed after the turmoil of the Deluge and...
. The 18th century paintings in the stalls showing the life of Saint Anne
Saint Anne
Saint Hanna of David's house and line, was the mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus Christ according to Christian and Islamic tradition. English Anne is derived from Greek rendering of her Hebrew name Hannah...
are by Szymon Czechowicz
Szymon Czechowicz
Szymon Czechowicz was a prominent Polish painter of the Baroque, considered one of the most accomplished painters of 18th century sacral painting in Poland. He specialized in sublime effigies of painted figures...
. In the transept there is an altar of the adoration of the cross to the left, and the tomb of John Cantius
John Cantius
Saint John Cantius was a renowned Polish priest, Scholastic philosopher, physicist and theologian. He is also known as John of Kanty or John of Kanti.-Biography:...
, patron saint of the university, to the right.