Saint Margaret of Antioch Basilica in Nowy Sącz

Saint Margaret’s Basilica in Nowy Sącz is a Gothic church on Kolegiacki Square, beside the market square and the historic urban layout. The earliest record of the church dates from 1303. Today, the basilica is one of the city’s most important sacred landmarks and a good starting point for a walk through the historic centre.

The basilica’s history

The church has been closely connected with the development of Nowy Sącz for centuries. In 1992, during the city’s 700th anniversary, Pope John Paul II granted it the title of minor basilica. The church retains a Gothic layout with a main nave and side aisles, while its interior combines medieval details with later furnishings.

Interior highlights

Look for the pointed arches, the Gothic window with stone tracery and the 15th-century wall tabernacle. The aisles contain numerous memorial plaques, while the south wall has a Renaissance tomb slab dated 1565. The sacristy is reached through 16th-century iron-clad doors. The church also preserves 19th-century Stations of the Cross and an extensive organ installation.

Visiting in central Nowy Sącz

The basilica stands at 1 Kolegiacki Square. It is an active church, so check the current service schedule and respect any liturgy in progress. After seeing the interior, walk towards the market square, the former city walls and the Gothic House on Lwowska Street.

Tripto tip: plan the basilica as part of a historic-centre walk. The combination of the church, market square and Gothic architecture gives the clearest sense of Nowy Sącz’s past.