Sacred Paintings and Sculptures in Krakow Churches
Krakow’s
churches
shelter some 25 sacred images whose supernatural powers are
well established. Probably the best known is picture of the
Merciful Christ in the
Sanctuary of Divine Mercy,
painted according to a vision of St. Faustyna Kowalska in
1931.
The 14th-century
crucifix of Queen-Saint Jadwiga
in the
Wawel Cathedral
allegedly spoke to her.
Cross of the Black Christ in the Krakow Cathedral
Yet the most visible of all miraculous images of Krakow is
the 14th-century
crucifix of Queen-Saint Jadwiga
(Hedwig) in the tourist-swarmed
Wawel Cathedral.
This remarkable 13-foot-tall Gothic sculpture of The Savior
allegedly spoke to the queen on several occasions. Later on
the Holy See declared that hearing Mass here could release
one soul from the purgatory each time.
Our Lady of Piasek
icon, painted by the end of the 15th century on the wall
of once extramural Carmelite church of the Virgin Mary’s
Annunciation at 19 Karmelicka street has been most admired
among the historic paintings in Krakow. Tradition has it
that a pious monk, who had only begun the fresco, found his
work miraculously finished overnight and glowing with an
unworldly light that gathered a crowd of bewildered
spectators. Nowadays the place is well worth visiting for
the splendid baroque of the quiet Lady Chapel if
nothing else.
Krakow's other miracle pictures
More sacred images with well-established reputation for
making wonders on behalf of the faithful can be found in
several churches in Krakow’s historic center. So, there is
the consoling picture of the Sorrowful Mother of God in the
chapel of the basilica of St. Francis’ at the Franciszkanska
Street. At the same time, prayer before the high altar’s
crucifix in the church of St. John’s at the Sw. Jana Street
can help in freeing prisoners of war and hostages. While the
Black Madonna icon in Our Lady of Czestochowa’s chapel of
the basilica of the Virgin Mary’s
at the Grand Square borrows its powers from Poland’s holiest
image.
The Christian pilgrim's guide
to Krakow
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