In 1578 a high bell tower was added to the church founded by Queen Anna Jagiellonka. The history of the church is a reflection of the turbulent history of our country: fires - reconstruction, looting, especially at the time of the Swedish 'deluge', more fires in which the whole magnificent library of the convent burnt down, restoration again in 1749 and 1775, addition of another chapel designed by Henryk Marconi in 1837, then more restoration, which completely obliterated the original style of the church. In 1939 the church was bombed and its roof burnt down together with one of the chapels. Another bomb damaged it again during the Warsaw Uprising. When reconstruction started in 1945, a hurricane caused the already weakened facade to collapse. Another disaster loomed in 1948 when the tunnel of the East - West Route (Trasa W-Z) was being drilled next to the church. The whole escarpment began to subside and cracks could be noticed in the church foundations. Yet, the danger was reverted in time. The post-war reconstruction of the church focused on the original Gothic elements and conservation of the precious altars, paintings and sculptures.

The building and its interior are now an important part of Warsaw cultural heritage. As Academic Church, it played a great role at the time of the Solidarity movement and made a great contribution to the victory of democracy. You can climb the Bell Tower to see the magnificent panorama from the top.

Address & Masses

Krakowskie Przedmiescie 68, Warsaw
T: 022 826 9977, 022 826 8991
www.swanna.waw.pl

Masses:
SUN: 8:30AM, 10AM, 12PM, 3PM, 7PM, 9PM
MON-SAT: 7AM, 7:30AM, 3PM, 6:30PM, 9PM (only on the first Fridays and holidays)