Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

At this location, the Jesuits settled in 1868, and two years later, the first chapel was built, which quickly proved to be insufficient. In 1903, a decision was made to build a new, magnificent temple. The design by architect Franciszek Mączyński was chosen for its realization.

Originally, this place housed an extensive property owned by Piotr Józef Szyryński, which included a fruit and vegetable garden, known as the "English mansion," as well as a complex of smaller single-story buildings. The Jesuits acquired this estate for 16,000 złr. It was decided to place a provisional chapel in the building located on today's Kopernika Street in the 1930s. In June 1869, the demolition of that house began, leaving only the foundations and load-bearing walls. A sacristy with an upper chapel (dedicated to St. Aloysius) and a vestibule were added to the remaining walls, and a new roof was installed. In 1870, a floor was laid with slabs made of Belgian marble, and arches were built, separating the two side aisles from the main nave. Barrel vaulting was then shaped, and semicircular colored windows were installed with iron fittings. The completed structure was 21 meters long, 11 meters wide, and 9 meters high. Inside the chapel, the main altar was placed with an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus brought from Belarus, as well as two side altars dedicated to the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph (the paintings were done by Antoni Reichenberg). In 1889, a new, large, richly carved main altar was funded, and the paintings in the side altars were replaced with sculptures by Mayer from Munich. Later, a spacious hall was added to the chapel, where an additional chapel was housed, followed by a sacristy for seminarians. The consecration of the Chapel of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus took place on August 28, 1870. The temple served the faithful for 42 years. The last service in the chapel took place on May 20, 1912, after which the Most Holy Sacrament was transferred to the walls of the newly built church. The dismantling of the chapel began on May 21.

On November 1, 1909, Bishop Anatol Nowak, the suffragan bishop of Krakow, consecrated the cornerstone of the new church. Construction lasted until 1912, but the furnishing and decoration of the church were significantly delayed due to the war. The official consecration finally took place on May 29, 1921. Bishop Anatol Nowak performed it in the presence of 24 other bishops who were attending the Conference of the Polish Episcopate in Krakow at that time.

In 1960, Pope John XXIII bestowed the title of minor basilica upon the church, and since 1966, it has been listed as a historical monument. In 1960, a chapel for the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was established in the church, which was consecrated by Bishop Karol Wojtyła on October 29 of the same year.

The architect of the church drew inspiration not only from modernism but also from the patterns of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque traditions. The church tower stands at a height of 68 meters and is one of the tallest in Krakow. The walls of the church are made of red brick, with window frames and details crafted from gray stone. In the center of the apex of each window, mosaics are placed, depicting the coats of arms of the cities that contributed to the construction of the church.

Above the main portal, beneath the tower, there is a mosaic depicting the Piercing of the Side of Christ, created according to the design by Jan Bukowski. A little higher up, there are sculptures designed by Xawery Dunikowski. The figure of Christ carved in stone was created by Karol Hukan, while the side figures were cast in lead in 1913. They symbolize suffering humanity seeking solace in the Heart of God

Outside the sacristy, against the eastern wall of the church, there is a monument to the creator of the temple, Franciszek Mączyński, from 1912, designed by Xawery Dunikowski. The bronze statue was donated to the Jesuits by the architect's widow in 1953.

The interior of the basilica is divided into three naves. The vaults were constructed using reinforced concrete, the first of its kind in Krakow. The flooring imitates patterns from early Christian churches. The vaults were painted with polychrome murals between 1914 and 1918, based on the design by Jan Bukowski. Leonard Strojnowski designed the mosaics for the main nave in 1922, Franciszek Mączyński designed the benches, and Jan Bukowski decorated the confessionals. The Stations of the Cross were purchased in France in 1937 by the Jesuit order for use in churches in Kołomyja, but they were brought to Krakow in 1946 and installed in 1959.

The main altar, built between 1915 and 1920, is the work of Franciszek Mączyński. The mosaic frieze in the presbytery was designed by Piotr Stachiewicz in 1913 and executed by Angelo Gianese's firm in Venice. It was installed in the church in 1921. The mosaic is 30 meters long and depicts homage paid to Christ by Polish saints and blessed individuals, led by St. Stanislaus, as well as the Polish nation guided to Jesus by Queen Jadwiga of Anjou and her husband, King Władysław Jagiełło.

Six side altars contain stucco sculptures created by Karol Hukan between 1920 and 1930. Of particular note is the Altar of the Angelic Virgin Mary, which according to art historians, is one of the most valuable pieces of sacred art from the interwar period in Poland. The Virgin Mary is depicted as a crowned queen, adored by a group of eight angels.

The organs were purchased in 1928 from the renowned Rieger brothers' company in Karniów (opus 2317). They have undergone several renovations since then (most recently in 2007) and currently have 47 stops and an electric action. They are maintained in a romantic tonal style, characteristic of organ construction from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.