Church of St. Casimir in Kraków, Religious monument in Old Town, Kraków, Poland.
The Church of St. Casimir is a modern church building in Kraków's Old Town with a plain white exterior. Inside, it houses several late Baroque altars from the 1740s that add historical depth despite the contemporary architectural style.
The current structure was completed in 1948 according to architect Franciszek Mączyński's design, replacing an earlier building destroyed by Swedish forces during their invasion of Poland. The new construction was part of the city's postwar rebuilding efforts.
The church maintains a traditional bell on its outer wall that rings when a member of the Franciscan Order approaches death. This practice connects the community to the order's religious traditions in a visible and meaningful way.
The church interior is open to visitors, and the notable underground catacombs can be explored, though access is available only once a year on November 2nd during All Souls Day celebrations. Plan ahead as specific opening times and access rules may vary.
The basement level houses approximately 1000 naturally mummified remains, including 250 monks buried directly in the earth without coffins. This unusual burial practice created a silent collection of remains from different time periods beneath the building.
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