Piarist Church of the Transfiguration of Our Lord

The façade of the Piarist Church, built in 1718-1728 to the design of Kacper Bażanka, closes off the north end of ul. Św. Jana in an imposing and very decorative manner. Unfortunately, the death of the eminent architect did not allow completion of the works, and the façade was not added until 1759-1761 when another great builder and architect of the time, Francesco Placidi took over responsibility for construction. As the façade is framed by the two sides of a rather long street, in order to make it look slimmer and taller Placidi included an additional, delicate floor with an ave bell that delicately towers just over the roof of the church.

The church doorway is approached by two picturesque sets of steps. Inside the church the stucco decoration by Moravian masters gives a particularly powerful impression as do illusionist paintings by their compatriot, Franz Eckstein.

A crypt is situated under the church where a chapel with the Altar of Christ in Prison was situated in the 18th century. There is a tradition on Good Fridays to arrange the crypt into the Lord’s Sepulchre – a custom that has been revived in recent times. Since the end of the 19th century, the Piarist Fathers have carried out educational activity here, and have maintained the college that stands beside the church. Having received a special permit from the authorities in 1889, the crypt became a funeral hall for distinguished citizens, which gave the monks a major source of income. To have a funeral leave from this place was considered a great privilege in Kraków. For example, it was from here that the funeral procession bidding a last farewell to Stanisław Wyspiański commenced.