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St. Jacek (ul. Freta 8/10) Home to ‘the last mass in Warsaw’, so-called not because the city has given up on religion, rather due to the late hour of their Sunday service: 9.30 p.m. In 1655 peace negotiations with the marauding Swedes were held in the refectory, while WWII saw 1,000 die inside when it was hit by the Nazis – a few pockmarked relics survive to this day. St. Jacek (ul. Freta 8/10)
Home to ‘the last mass in Warsaw’, so-called not because the city has given up on religion, rather due to the late hour of their Sunday service: 9.30 p.m. In 1655 peace negotiations with the marauding Swedes were held in the refectory, while WWII saw 1,000 die inside when it was hit by the Nazis – a few pockmarked relics survive to this day.

Our Lady Of Grace (ul. Świętojańska 10) First, the doors: beautiful things depicting winged angels. Designed by Igor Mitoraj, these were added in 2009. Then, take a look at the bear outside: that’s actually a prince turned to stone – he’s waiting for the love of his life to restore him to manhood. Finally, inside, the portrait of Our Lady of Grace is said to possess miraculous properties. Our Lady Of Grace (ul. Świętojańska 10)
First, the doors: beautiful things depicting winged angels. Designed by Igor Mitoraj, these were added in 2009. Then, take a look at the bear outside: that’s actually a prince turned to stone – he’s waiting for the love of his life to restore him to manhood. Finally, inside, the portrait of Our Lady of Grace is said to possess miraculous properties.

Church of the Holy Cross (ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście 3) Marked out by the sculpture of Jesus lugging a cross, it’s here that King Jan Sobieski III announced his faith in God in 1683 before riding to Vienna to vanquish the Turks. It is more famous, however, for being the home of Chopin’s heart. That’s preserved in cognac inside a crystal jar that lies encased inside a column. Church of the Holy Cross
(ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście 3)
Marked out by the sculpture of Jesus lugging a cross, it’s here that King Jan Sobieski III announced his faith in God in 1683 before riding to Vienna to vanquish the Turks. It is more famous, however, for being the home of Chopin’s heart. That’s preserved in cognac inside a crystal jar that lies encased inside a column.

St. John’s Cathedral (ul. Świętojańska 8) Warsaw’s most important place of worship, and the sight of royal funerals, coronations and marriages. It was here, also, that the first European Constitution was signed on May 3rd, 1791. It was practically flattened in 1944, something commemorated by a track from a German remote-controlled Goliath tank – find that embedded into an outside wall. St. John’s Cathedral (ul. Świętojańska 8)
Warsaw’s most important place of worship, and the sight of royal funerals, coronations and marriages. It was here, also, that the first European Constitution was signed on May 3rd, 1791. It was practically flattened in 1944, something commemorated by a track from a German remote-controlled Goliath tank – find that embedded into an outside wall.

Polish Army Cathedral (ul. Długa 13/15) Signposted by the anchor and propeller outside – a nod to the air force and the navy – the army cathedral is heavy on symbolic militaria. Before marching into battle, scores of Polish combatants took their oath here during the ’44 Uprising. Today, points of interest include a shimmering shrine composed of thousands of donated medals and decorations. Polish Army Cathedral (ul. Długa 13/15)
Signposted by the anchor and propeller outside – a nod to the air force and the navy – the army cathedral is heavy on symbolic militaria. Before marching into battle, scores of Polish combatants took their oath here during the ’44 Uprising. Today, points of interest include a shimmering shrine composed of thousands of donated medals and decorations.

St. Anthony of Padua (ul. Senatorska 31/33) Founded by King Zygmunt III after a military victory at Smolensk in 1623, this unsung beauty is best noted for its serene, shaded cloisters that house hundreds of cracked and fading tablets dedicated to both 19th century bigwigs and 20th century insurgents who fell in the Warsaw Uprising. Walking amid the memorials is a deeply solemn experience. St. Anthony of Padua
(ul. Senatorska 31/33)
Founded by King Zygmunt III after a military victory at Smolensk in 1623, this unsung beauty is best noted for its serene, shaded cloisters that house hundreds of cracked and fading tablets dedicated to both 19th century bigwigs and 20th century insurgents who fell in the Warsaw Uprising. Walking amid the memorials is a deeply solemn experience.

Secrets of Warsaw Churches

24 December 2015 6

We are letting you in on a few insider secrets about the churches that survived the war. Helpful to come across like a tour guide when taking friends and family around town.