Corpus Christi Basilica

The Corpus Christi Basilica (Polish: Bazylika Bożego Ciała), located in the Kazimierz district of Kraków, Poland is a Gothic church founded by King Casimir III the Great in 1335.

Corpus Christi Basilica
Bazylika Bożego Ciała (in Polish)
Religion
AffiliationRoman Catholic
DistrictKazimierz
Location
LocationKraków, Poland
Architecture
StyleRomanesque, Gothic, Baroque
Completedmid-15th century
MaterialsBrick, Stone

History

The basilica was erected in stages beginning in 1340 until about the mid-15th century. It was intended as a monastery church, which explains the large plot of land on which it stands, and the presence of a monastic cemetery next to it. In 1404 King Władysław II Jagiełło gave it to the Canons Regular of the Lateran, a congregation which he had brought in from Kłodzko.[1]

Interior

The interior of the church is a mixture of Polish Gothic and impressive Polish Baroque architecture with structural features such as a large gilded Baroque high altar, a boat-shaped pulpit (1750), and the organ. The church was robbed clean and the interior utterly devastated by soldiers of the 1655 Swedish invasion (the Deluge),[2] which explains the prevalence of Baroque in its current decoration. The church is said to contain one of the most beautiful Baroque choir stalls in Central Europe.[3] Bartolommeo Berrecci, the Renaissance artist who designed Sigismund's Chapel at Wawel, is buried there.

Corpus Christi Basilica houses the largest organs in Krakow. The main instrument was built between 1958-1963 using some elements of the old organ dating back to the 1770s. It was designed for 83 pitches and consists of two parts. The main organ placed on the choir and side organs located in the chancel. The organs have a total of 5950 pipes and 25 bells. They have the ability to play works written on an echo basis. The sound of organs 70 meters away from each other gives the listener a unique experience.[4]

Interior of the basilica

See also

References
  1. Kraków Travel: Kościół Bożego Ciała Archived 2011-11-13 at the Wayback Machine with map, and photographs. Krakowskie Biuro Festiwalowe. Retrieved October 26, 2011. (in Polish)
  2. The Basilica of Corpus Christi (Kosciol Bozego Ciala) with photographs, including opening hours, at virtualtourist.com
  3. Corpus Christi Church (Kościół Bożego Ciała) including location map by Inyourpocket.com
  4. "Corpus Christi Basilica". Krakow.wiki. 2017-03-29. Retrieved 2019-05-14.

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