Page 84 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Krakow

82  KR AK OW AREA B Y AREA

3 Church of Saints Peter and Paul

This church, modelled on the Jesuit Church of Il Gesù in Rome,
is considered to be one of the most magnificent early Baroque
churches in Central Europe. The history of its construction and
the name of the architects involved are the subjects of an
ongoing debate among architectural historians. The foundation
stone was laid in 1596. The leading Jesuit architect, Giovanni
de Rosis, contributed the design, and works were carried out
by Giuseppe Brizio and Giovanni Maria Bernardoni. In 1605
the church neared its completion but, due to some structural
problems, a number of walls had to be dismantled and rebuilt
to an altered design. The court architect Giovanni Battista
Trevano was put in charge of the second stage. Cartouche with an Eagle
This exquisitely carved coat of
arms belonged to the main
founder of the church, King
Organ Gallery Zygmunt III Vaza.
The late Baroque organ gallery
with a curved balustrade,
designed by Kacper Bażanka, is
in contrast with the austere and
monumental architecture of the
church. It is located inside, just
above the main entrance.

Statues of the Apostles
This railing was designed
by Kacper Bażanka and is
decorated with copies of
statues originally carved
by David Heel between
1715 and 1722.

Main
Statue of St Ignatius Loyola entrance
The founder of the Society of Jesus is depicted
in this late Baroque sculpture by David Heel.
The adjoining statues are of Stanisław Kostka,
Francis Xavier and Aloysius Gonzaga.