Church of St. Anne, Krakow

Located on Saint Anny Street in Kraków, the Church of Saint Anne is a UNESCO-protected Roman Catholic building. An iconic example of Polish Baroque style, it was designed by Tylman van Gameren. Yet, the origins of this ecclesiastical monument trace back to the 14th century.

In 1381, records show the church's first mention under Sulisław I Nawoja of Grodziec's donation documentation. A fire destroyed the church in 1407, but it was rebuilt in Gothic style in the same year under King Władysław II Jagiełło's patronage. King Jagiełło also linked the church with Jagiellonian University, allowing it to appoint the parish priest. The choir was reconstructed and expanded in 1428. Saint Anne's became a collegiate church on October 27, 1535, through an official decree, marking its highest ecclesiastical achievement.

In 1689, the old Gothic structure was taken down as it couldn't support the increasing devotion to Saint John Cantius, the patron saint of Jagiellonian University. From 1689 to 1705, a new Baroque cathedral was built, influenced by Rome's Sant'Andrea della Valle. Tylman van Gameren, a Dutch architect integrated into Polish culture, led this under John III Sobieski's patronage.

The church's lavish interior features intricate stucco work by Baldassarre Fontana, complemented by captivating polychromatic elements from notable painters like the Monti brothers, Karl Dankwart of Nysa, and Jerzy Siemiginowski-Eleuter. The high altar showcases Siemiginowski-Eleuter's skill with a portrayal of Saint Anne. Szymon Czechowicz's 18th-century masterpieces adorn the stalls, depicting the life of Saint Anne. A cross-dedicated altar stands out in the transept's left, while John Cantius' sepulcher holds a solemn presence on the right.