Skałka, Baroque church in Kraków, Poland.
The Basilica of Saint Michael and Saint Stanislaus rises from a limestone outcrop near the Vistula River, displaying white facades and two bell towers in baroque style. Inside, high vaults open above the nave, while ornate altars and columns structure the space.
King Bolesław II ordered the execution of Bishop Stanislaus at this location in 1079, after which the bishop was recognized as a martyr and canonized. Later centuries brought several reconstructions, until the current baroque form emerged in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The crypt beneath the building serves as a resting place for important figures in Polish culture, including poets, musicians, and painters who shaped the country. Visitors can walk through the underground rooms and read memorial plaques with names and dates on the walls.
The building opens daily from morning until late afternoon, and guided tours in several languages start regularly at the entrance. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as the crypt is reached by stairs and the floor can be uneven.
Three dark marks on the wall are considered traces of Bishop Stanislaus's blood, preserved through centuries of reconstruction and renovation. Legends say these spots could never be fully covered, no matter what materials were used.
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