The Church of Saints Peter and Paul, located at 52A Grodzka Street, is the first Baroque church in Krakow and one of the city's most important monuments. Its history dates back to the late 16th century, when King Sigismund III Vasa decided to fund a temple for the Jesuit order. Construction began in 1596 and lasted more than two decades, until 1619. The church was not consecrated until July 8, 1635, a testament to the scale and complexity of this architectural undertaking.

It is worth noting that the church was built on the site of an earlier Gothic church that burned down in a fire in 1455. The design of the new church was initially attributed to Italian architect Giovanni de Rossis, but was modified by several other artists during construction. Joseph Britius began the work, then Giovanni Maria Bernardoni made his changes, and finally Giovanni Trevano completed the building, designing the facade, dome and interior decorations.

The façade of the church is one of the most characteristic elements of the building. The monumental two-story structure is decorated with stone sculptures of the twelve apostles, which stand on pedestals in front of the temple. These impressive figures, made in the 18th century by David Heel, have become one of the symbols of Krakow's sacred architecture. Note their dynamic poses and expressive faces, which reflect Baroque aesthetics.

The interior of the church impresses with its richness of decoration and harmonious spatial arrangement. The single-nave space with side chapels creates an impression of lightness and spaciousness, despite the monumental size of the building. The barrel vault with lunettes is covered with rich stucco decoration, and the walls are decorated with Corinthian pilasters. The main altar, made of black marble, is an excellent example of Baroque sacred art.

One of the most fascinating design elements is the boat-shaped pulpit, which refers to the Gospel story of St. Peter as a fisherman. This unique piece of church equipment is not only functional, but also an important symbolic element, emphasizing the church's connection with its patrons.

For centuries, the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul played an important role in the religious and cultural life of Krakow. After the suppression of the Jesuit order in 1773, the temple came under the administration of the Commission of National Education, and later became the academic church of Jagiellonian University. Today, in addition to its sacred functions, it also serves as an important cultural center, where classical music concerts are regularly held.

The architectural significance of the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul extends far beyond the borders of Krakow. As the first example of full Baroque in the city, this temple set new trends in Polish sacred architecture and became a model for many later buildings. Its harmonious proportions, richness of decoration and monumental character make it one of the most important Baroque monuments in Poland.

In 2000, in the heart of the Baroque Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, an unusual attraction was installed that combines science, history and art - Foucault's pendulum. It is the only such installation in Poland placed in a historic temple, which creates a fascinating contrast between 17th-century architecture and a modern physical experiment.

Foucault's pendulum is a device designed by French physicist Léon Foucault in 1851 that demonstrates the Earth's rotation around its axis in a simple and elegant way. It consists of a heavy metal sphere suspended from a long rope that allows it to swing freely in any plane. Although on the surface the motion of the pendulum appears to change direction, in reality it is the Earth that rotates underneath it, providing tangible proof of the heliocentric theory.

The Krakow pendulum is suspended on a 46-meter rope under the church's dome, and its metal ball weighs about 25 kilograms. A specially designed electromagnetic mechanism ensures a constant amplitude of oscillation, so the experiment can be observed throughout the day. A circular dial with a scale was placed on the floor of the church to track the apparent change in the pendulum's plane of oscillation.

Demonstrations of Foucault's pendulum are held daily at specific times and are preceded by a short lecture on the physics principles behind this fascinating phenomenon. The presentation lasts about 20 minutes and is conducted in Polish, although information materials in other languages are also available for foreign tourists. It is advisable to plan your visit in advance so as not to miss this remarkable scientific spectacle.

The placement of Foucault's pendulum in the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul is no accident. The Jesuits, who were originally associated with the church, have always valued science and education, running numerous schools and colleges. In addition, the church itself was designed with excellent acoustics and optics in mind, making it an ideal place for the presentation of physical phenomena. The temple's high dome provides just the right height for suspending a pendulum, which is crucial for proper experimentation.

It is interesting to note that originally Léon Foucault presented his pendulum in the Pantheon in Paris, also a sacred building. The Krakow installation thus relates to this tradition, combining the sacred with the profane, faith with science. This is particularly symbolic in the context of historical tensions between the Church and scientists who preached the heliocentric theory, such as Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei.

Foucault's pendulum in the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul has become one of Krakow's most original attractions, attracting tourists and locals alike. For teachers of physics and astronomy, it is the perfect place to conduct a lively lesson that demonstrates abstract concepts from textbooks in a tangible way. For lovers of architecture and art, meanwhile, it provides an interesting example of the dialogue between tradition and modernity.

It is also worth mentioning that demonstrations of Foucault's pendulum are available for a small fee, making this attraction accessible to a wide audience. The ticket price is low compared to other tourist attractions in Krakow, making it an excellent option for travelers on a tight budget. In addition, a ticket for the pendulum show also allows you to visit the interior of the church, which is an added value for tourists interested in sacred architecture.

Observing Foucault's pendulum at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul is an experience that combines educational, aesthetic and spiritual elements. It is a place where science meets art and physics meets metaphysics, creating a unique space for reflection on man's place in the universe.

When planning a visit to the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, it is worth including some practical information to help organize your time and allow you to fully enjoy this unique attraction. The church is located at 52A Grodzka Street, in the heart of Krakow's Old Town, just a few minutes' walk from the Main Square and Wawel Castle. Thanks to its central location, the church is easily accessible to both tourists and locals.

Foucault's pendulum shows are held regularly, usually several times a day. You should check the exact schedule on the church's official website (www.apostolowie.pl) or directly at the site. The presentations are led by guides who explain the physics principles behind this fascinating experiment in an accessible way. It is advisable to arrive at the site a few minutes before the start of the show to get a convenient place to observe.

The ticket price for the Foucault pendulum demonstration is affordable, making this attraction accessible to a wide audience. The ticket also entitles you to visit the interior of the church, which is an added value for those interested in religious architecture. Discounts are available for organized groups, students and senior citizens, and children under a certain age can enter for free.

The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul is open to the public for most of the day, with breaks for services. However, it is worth remembering that this is an active church, so proper respect and silence should be maintained during the visit. Photographing the interior is permitted, but without the use of flash, which could damage the historic furnishings.

In addition to Foucault's pendulum demonstrations, the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul also offers other attractions. Classical and organ music concerts are regularly held here, which are very popular with both tourists and residents of Krakow. The acoustics of the church are exceptional, making each concert an unforgettable musical experience.

Also worth noting is the church crypt, which contains the tombs of distinguished Poles, including the writer and preacher Piotr Skarga. This part of the church is open to the public at certain times and is an interesting addition to a visit to the church.

The vicinity of the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul abounds with numerous tourist attractions that are worth including in your plan to visit Krakow. Right next door is St. Andrew's Church, a Romanesque architectural gem that survived the Tartar invasion of the 13th century. A little farther away, on the same Grodzka Street, you can admire St. Adalbert's Church on the Main Square, one of the oldest churches in the city.

Walking towards Wawel, it's worth stopping at St. Idzi's Church, and then turning into Kanonicza Street - one of the most beautiful and well-preserved streets in old Kraków. Here you will find historic tenements where cathedral canons used to live and now house museums and art galleries.

After visiting the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul and observing Foucault's pendulum, you can take a stroll along the Planty - the green belt surrounding the Old Town, which was built on the site of the former defensive walls. It is an ideal place to rest for a while and reflect on what you have seen.

For those interested in science and physical experiments, an interesting complement to a visit to the Foucault pendulum can be a visit to the Stanisław Lem Experiment Garden, located a little further from the city center. This is an educational park where you can conduct experiments in physics, acoustics and optics on your own.

The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul with Foucault's pendulum is a place that combines history, art and science, creating a unique attraction on the map of Krakow. Whether you're a lover of architecture, physics, or just looking for interesting and offbeat places, this Baroque temple with a modern science experiment certainly deserves your attention.