The Collegiate Church of St. Florian (Polish: Kościół św. Floriana w Krakowie) is a historic church in Kraków, Poland. It stands at the northern end of Matejko Square and the former centre of the mediaeval city of Kleparz, now a district of Kraków. The edifice marks the beginning of the Royal Road.
St. Florian's Church Kościół św. Floriana w Krakowie(in Polish)
St. Florian's Church was built between 1185 and 1216. It was burnt down many times in the 12th, 16th and 17th centuries. Notably, during the Swedish siege of Kraków, General Stefan Czarniecki ordered the city's suburbs burned down. However, during the citywide fire which consumed a considerable part of Kraków in 1528, the church – containing St. Florian's relics – survived. Since then St. Florian, usually portrayed as a Roman legion officer carrying water, has been revered in Poland as patron saint of firefighters and chimneysweeps. The church's present appearance is the result of a Baroque renovation after the Polish–Swedish wars.
Since the 16th century the Church has been the University Collegiate. The coronation route began there, with the rector of the university senate welcoming new kings. The Church was also the starting point for royal funeral processions to Wawel Cathedral.
In 1667 the remains of Queen Marie Louise Gonzaga, wife of King John II Casimir, were placed there temporarily, and so were the remains of Tadeusz Kościuszko in 1818. From 17 September 1949 to September 1951, Father Karol Wojtyła, who later became Pope John Paul II, worked there as a vicar. As Pope, in 1999 he elevated the Church to a minor basilica. He also visited the Church on his papal pilgrimage to Poland on 18 September 2002.[1]
The legendedit
Legend has it that in 1184 oxen carrying the remains of St. Florian – the future patron saint of Poland – the relics miraculously grew too heavy to be taken any further into the city and remained in Kleparz until it was decided for the Church to be built at that exact spot.[2] The martyr had nothing do with Poland before his relics were brought from Rome to Kraków. Kraków needed a saint for political reasons, in order to reaffirm its role as Poland's capital, which was contested by the city of Gniezno.
The district of Kleparz was founded by Casimir the Great in 1366 as a separate town, around St. Florian's Church. It was named by King Casimir as Florencja (English: Florence) after its centrally located church, or in Latin, Clepardia. Kleparz remained an unofficial suburb of Kraków till 1792, when the Polish Parliament incorporated it within the city.
See alsoedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Saint Florian church in Kraków.
florian, church, collegiate, church, florian, polish, kościół, floriana, krakowie, historic, church, kraków, poland, stands, northern, matejko, square, former, centre, mediaeval, city, kleparz, district, kraków, edifice, marks, beginning, royal, road, kościół,. The Collegiate Church of St Florian Polish Kosciol sw Floriana w Krakowie is a historic church in Krakow Poland It stands at the northern end of Matejko Square and the former centre of the mediaeval city of Kleparz now a district of Krakow The edifice marks the beginning of the Royal Road St Florian s ChurchKosciol sw Floriana w Krakowie in Polish ReligionAffiliationRoman CatholicDistrictKleparzLocationLocationKrakow PolandArchitectureStyleBaroqueCompleted1216Matejko Square with St Florian s Church in background Contents 1 History 2 The legend 3 See also 4 ReferencesHistory editSt Florian s Church was built between 1185 and 1216 It was burnt down many times in the 12th 16th and 17th centuries Notably during the Swedish siege of Krakow General Stefan Czarniecki ordered the city s suburbs burned down However during the citywide fire which consumed a considerable part of Krakow in 1528 the church containing St Florian s relics survived Since then St Florian usually portrayed as a Roman legion officer carrying water has been revered in Poland as patron saint of firefighters and chimneysweeps The church s present appearance is the result of a Baroque renovation after the Polish Swedish wars Since the 16th century the Church has been the University Collegiate The coronation route began there with the rector of the university senate welcoming new kings The Church was also the starting point for royal funeral processions to Wawel Cathedral In 1667 the remains of Queen Marie Louise Gonzaga wife of King John II Casimir were placed there temporarily and so were the remains of Tadeusz Kosciuszko in 1818 From 17 September 1949 to September 1951 Father Karol Wojtyla who later became Pope John Paul II worked there as a vicar As Pope in 1999 he elevated the Church to a minor basilica He also visited the Church on his papal pilgrimage to Poland on 18 September 2002 1 The legend editLegend has it that in 1184 oxen carrying the remains of St Florian the future patron saint of Poland the relics miraculously grew too heavy to be taken any further into the city and remained in Kleparz until it was decided for the Church to be built at that exact spot 2 The martyr had nothing do with Poland before his relics were brought from Rome to Krakow Krakow needed a saint for political reasons in order to reaffirm its role as Poland s capital which was contested by the city of Gniezno The district of Kleparz was founded by Casimir the Great in 1366 as a separate town around St Florian s Church It was named by King Casimir as Florencja English Florence after its centrally located church or in Latin Clepardia Kleparz remained an unofficial suburb of Krakow till 1792 when the Polish Parliament incorporated it within the city See also edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Saint Florian church in Krakow St Florian s Gate St Florian s Cathedral WarsawReferences edit Traces of Pope John Paul II St Florian s Church at toptravelservice pl Guide to Krakow webpage at www kasprzyk demon co uk St Florian s Church at travel yahoo com St Florian s Church at krakow4u pl Kleparz at what where when pl Story of St Florian s relics Polish language only 50 04 03 N 19 56 35 E 50 0676 N 19 9431 E 50 0676 19 9431 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title St Florian 27s Church amp oldid 1201529757, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
