First Street in Cracow

9th October 2014

Kanonicza Street in Cracow is the first street in this city.Until the 14th century the street was lined with mansions of noblemen. Then, palatial residences of Krakow canons and prelates took their place. Several buildings still belong to the Church. 
Strolling up the Kanonicza Street Kanonicza Street mostly preserved its exquisite Renaissance air and shape, which appeal so strongly to Krakow visitors. Lined with stately, usually Renaissance houses, it is arguably one of Europe’s finest streets. Halfway a charming plaza unveils the white facade of the imposing Baroque Jesuit church of St. Peter and St. Paul’s of 1619 next to the grand Romanesque church of St. Andrew’s of circa 1090 at the parallel Grodzka street. 

St. Peter and St. Paul Church

St. Andrew Church

Kanonicza Street

From 1951 to 1963 Father Karol Wojtyla, future Pope John Paul II, dwelled at 19 and 21 Kanonicza Street, where his former rooms have been turned into a papal department of Krakow's Archdiocese Museum, otherwise exhibiting mostly church art. 

I have had a great time here.