Church of the Holy Cross

Church of the Holy Cross was built in 1626 and pretty soon completely destroyed in 1650s during the war with Sweden. Today’s church was built between 1679 – 1696 and was designed by Giuseppe Simone Bellotti in baroque style. Its façade was completed in 1760.

It was again destroyed during Second War World and rebuilt after the war. Today Church of the Holy Cross is easy to recognize thanks to the black monument of Jesus Christ bearing a cross with the inscription “Sursum Corda” – (“Lift up your hearts”). The most interesting feature of interior which survived is the altar in the south wing of the transept, designed by Tylman van Gameren. Probably most precious treasure of the church is the urn containing the heart of Fryderyk Chopin – famous Polish national composer. The urn is embedded in the first pillar on the left in the main nave. Chopin’s heart was brought here by his sister Ludwika from France. Church holds also urn with the heart of the Nobel prize-winning writer Wladyslaw Reymont. Many important ceremonies have taken place in the church, including the funerals of political thinker Stanislaw Staszic (1755 – 1826), composer Karol Szymanowski (1882 – 1937) and painter Leon Wyczolkowski (1852 – 1936). The church is still famous for patriotic performances. [Royal Route]

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