Under the EEA and Norway Grants €2 million worth of renovation works have been carried out on St. Barbara`s Church, among Krakow's most beautiful churches, the Jesuit Parish Home at Maly Rynek and the Basilica Church of the Holiest Heart of Jesus.
These 3 buildings are owned by the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, a religious order with long traditions in Poland. The first Jesuits arrived in Poland in 1579. After the disbanding of the Jesuit Society in 1773, the Church and the Parish Home were taken over by the National Commission of Education, remaining in the Commission's service until 1874 and 1908, when the properties were handed back to the Jesuits.
The Basilica of the Holiest Heart of Jesus was constructed between 1909 and 1912 as part of the Jesuits College (the present-day Ignatianum Jesuit University of Philosophy and Education), and is a unique example of early 20th century architecture. Renovation works have been carried out on the roof, and the pipe organ of the church has been restored.
Gothic and Baroque architecture
St. Barbara's Church combines Gothic and Baroque architecture – gothic on the exterior, baroque in the interior. This style is known as the Jesuit style. Built between 1338 and 1402, St. Barbara's Church is situated right next to St. Mary's Basilica, one of Krakow's main tourist attractions. Legend has it that St. Barbara's Church was erected voluntarily by workers building St. Mary's Basilica, as a gift of thankfulness, using bricks and other materials remaining from the construction of St. Mary's Basilica.
Restoration works on St. Barbara's Church began in 2001, but as the Jesuits are dependent on donations and small grants, progress has been slow. The support from the EEA Grants brought forward the necessary financing to complete the renovation of the roof and the façade, as well as paving of the cloister, renovation of the indoor artwork and furnishings, and restoration of the pipe organs. Situated next to St. Barbara's Church is the Jesuit Parish House. The EEA Grants have been applied here to reconstruct the roof of the building and replace the roof covering.
Several comprehensive cultural heritage preservation are located within a stone's throw from one another in Krakow. St. Barbara's Church and the Jesuit Parish Home are both located on Maly Rynek in Krakow's UNESCO-listed old town. Maly Rynek is a small square adjoining the Rynek Glówny, where the International Cultural Centre and the 13th century Sukiennice or Cloth Hall, one of Krakow's chief landmarks, are to be found. Both of these properties have been restored with support from the EEA and Norway Grants.
Photo: Karina Karpinska, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Warsaw.