A courtyard pause at Our Lady of the Snows, Kraków

A reason to pause here

The courtyard draws us away from the through street. Pale walls, old doorway surrounds and the tiled interior give us a small sequence to follow with the camera.

A convent on the old Gródek site

Anna Lubomirska founded the Dominican convent on the site of the Tarnowski palace. The convent was built in 1627–1632 and the church in 1632–1634. Earlier buildings here included a fortified residence of Kraków’s municipal head and a small castle of Władysław Łokietek.

Swedish forces burned the church in 1655; rebuilding followed. The surviving Baroque church has furnishings from several periods, including an image of Our Lady of the Snows sent by Pope Urban VIII. Along the Planty, the convent incorporates parts of the old city wall and Butchers’ Gate.

Step away from the through street

We would begin with the paved approach in the gallery and the stone surrounds of its doorways. The modest entrance makes it easy to walk past. Looking towards the Planty afterwards helps connect this religious complex with the city’s former defences.

Plan the visit

The church is at Mikołajska 21. This is a working church and an enclosed convent; access to the church does not include private monastic rooms or gardens. Arrange an interior stop around worship and follow notices at the entrance. The exterior fits into a walk between the Small Market Square and the Planty.

• Look at the convent boundary from the Planty as well as the street.
• Keep the convent’s private spaces outside your walking route.