Basilica of St Nicholas in Bochnia

The wall paintings in St Kinga's Chapel were designed by Jan Matejko, Poland's great history painter, and the rebuilding of the church after the fire of 1655 was funded by King John Casimir in this salt-mining town. The Basilica of St Nicholas is Bochnia's oldest and largest church: a 15th-century Gothic building, the shrine of Our Lady of Bochnia and, since 2003, a collegiate church. Its late Gothic façade with a stepped gable has no equivalent in the Lesser Poland region and was probably inspired by Saxon architecture.

History: from Gothic to Gothic Revival

The church was built in the first half of the 15th century. After fires in 1447 and around 1485 it was rebuilt around 1500 as a Gothic hall church with a long chancel. A town fire in 1655, during the Swedish invasion known as the Deluge, destroyed the roof and vaults. The Baroque rebuilding, paid for by King John Casimir, was completed in 1665.

In 1768 members of the Bar Confederation stationed in Bochnia funded a new high altar, made in 1770–1772 by Piotr Kornecki of Gdów. In 1777 a grant from the salt mine's income paid for a renovation and a new Lady Chapel. St Kinga's Chapel was restored in Gothic Revival style in 1892–1893 under Tadeusz Stryjeński, and the whole church in 1901–1906 under Jan Sas-Zubrzycki. In the late 1990s it was made a minor basilica.

What to see

• St Kinga's Chapel with Gothic Revival furnishings and wall paintings designed by Jan Matejko; a Gothic mural discovered in 1966 is also visible.
• The image of Our Lady of Bochnia (Our Lady of the Rosary) from the first half of the 16th century, in a marble altar brought from the former Dominican church. It was crowned on 7 October 1934, reportedly before 100,000–120,000 faithful.
• A painting by the Flemish artist Artus Wolffort in the chancel, considered the church's most valuable work of art.
• The high altar, six side altars and the Rococo pulpit from Piotr Kornecki's workshop.
• A late Baroque organ from the second half of the 18th century, rebuilt in 1898.
• A wooden post-built bell tower from the early 17th century, on the Wooden Architecture Route.

Interesting facts

The bell tower originally stood beside the now-vanished Bernardine church. It burned down in 1987 and was reconstructed in 1990–1993. St Kinga's Chapel was once dedicated to the Eleven Thousand Virgins. The church's link with the salt mine is literal: without salt money there would be no 18th-century Lady Chapel. Our Lady of Bochnia is venerated as Queen of the Holy Rosary.

Tripto tip

The basilica stands on Plac św. Kingi, a few steps from the market square. The parish offers an audio-guided tour in 6 parts lasting about 25 minutes, the best way not to miss the details of St Kinga's Chapel. It is an active church, so visit outside Mass times; the service schedule is on the parish website. Combine the visit with the Bochnia Salt Mine and a walk in the Planty Salinarne park, and allow half a day for central Bochnia.