Mogiła Abbey, Cistercian monastery in Nowa Huta district, Kraków, Poland.
Mogiła Abbey is a Cistercian monastery near Kraków built around a Gothic church that later received a Baroque façade. The complex contains multiple chapels, covered cloisters decorated with frescoes, and the Basilica of the Holy Cross.
The monastery was founded in 1222 by Bishop Iwo Odrowąż and suffered severe damage during the 1241 Mongol invasions. The community rebuilt the site afterward, and it became an important center for the Cistercian order over the following centuries.
The name Mogiła refers to a mound or burial site in Polish, reflecting the location's ancient significance. Visitors can observe how the structures blend Gothic foundations with later Baroque additions, showing layers of spiritual use over centuries.
Group visits typically require advance arrangements with a minimum number of participants. It is recommended to contact the site ahead of time to confirm visiting conditions and availability.
The monastery keeps a medieval crucifix that local tradition says was pulled from the Vistula River in the 12th century. This object remains on display in the church and represents a tangible link to the site's distant past.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.