Колиска Речі Посполитої The cradle of the Commonwealth

Rating 9110

In this church was formally born the Commonwealth - the largest state in Europe in the early modern era. Here, in 1386, Grand Duke Jagiello of Lithuania was baptized a Catholic and crowned with the Polish crown. And although it was 180 years before the creation of the state with this name, this coronation became the first brick in its construction. The Jagiellonian dynasty was born here, whose representatives ruled not only Poland but also the Czech Republic and Hungary.
The Franciscans arrived in Krakow in 1237 from Prague with the help of the Czech wife of Prince Henry II the Pious. Construction of the church began after the Tatar invasion in 1241. The Franciscans were supported by Prince Boleslaw the Shy, who partially financed its construction. The church was consecrated in 1249.
Then the church was rebuilt many times after the wars and fires. In 1657 -1673 some baroque elements were added to the architecture of the church.
Its rich medieval decoration was destroyed during the great fire of 1850. After that the church was restored and somewhat rebuilt. But the fire was one of the strongest in Krakow. It burned 160 houses, 4 churches, 3 monasteries and 2 palaces - the fire destroyed almost 10% of the city. In addition to residential and commercial premises, valuable libraries and works of art were destroyed. Restoration work in the church was completed only in 1912.