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St. Norbert's Convent

A walk along the Vistula River from the Wawel Castle doesn't really have to end in shopping in Galeria Kazimierz – instead, why not go westwards, and visit the picturesque Zwierzyniec district and its pearl – the St. Norbert's Convent. The nuns of the St. Norbert's Convent, called the “norbertanki” or “panny zwierzynieckie” (“the ladies of Zwierzyniec”) in Polish and their church, although it was situated out of Krakow for centuries, is closely linked to the history of the city, and some of the Krakow Legends are placed in the convent's vicinity.

The History of the St. Norbert's Convent

The Norbertanki were first brought to Krakow in the 12^th century by a knight from Zwierzyniec named Jaxa Gryfita (who even has his own street in Krakow), who had just returned from the crusades, and built the first church of the St. Norbert's Convent. The convent was destroyed in 1241 by the Tartars, and was rebuilt in its current form in the 16^th century. The convent is a mostly baroque edifice, perhaps the most magnificent representative of the style in Krakow.

Krakow Legends and Traditions Connected with the St. Norbert's Convent

Perhaps one of the most somber Krakow legends is linked with the St. Norbert's Convent. During the Tartar invasion, some Krakow merchants, trying to escape the invaders, fled for the Vistula river to get away on the ferry, located near the convent. What they did not know, was that the ferry was broken. The Krakow merchants (along with the Tartars), ran into the river on the other side of the St. Norbert's Convent. The attackers attacked but one drowned. The surviving Krakow merchant decided to thank God for saving his life by founding a bell for the Norbertanki nuns. To everyone's surprise, the bell, although cast three times, was cracked – and even the nuns' prayers couldn't help. Finally, the nuns decided to hang the unfinished bell – to symbolize the unfinished lives of the Krakow merchants. Each day, the bell's toll reminded the Norbertanki nuns to pray for the drowned. The St. Norbert's bell's life also ended prematurely – during World War I, the Austrians turned it into canons. Others say the St. Norbert's bell was sunk by the Tartars and each Midsummer's Night it raises from the deep and tolls until midnight.

On a brighter side – the St. Norbert's convent is also the place where the feast of the Lajkonik begins near the feast of the Corpus Christi.

Visiting the St. Norbert's Convent

The St. Norbert's Convent is located in the Zwierzyniec district, on the bank of the Vistula river. Visitors are allowed inside the church – they enter it through a 13^th century portal and can observe the 18^th century interior. The St. Norbert's Convent's courtyard is also available for visitors. Aside from the St. Norbert's Convent itself, the Zwierzyniec and Salwator districts are a perfect place for walks (particularly atmospheric in the Autumn). Don't be lazy - climb the hill facing the convent and see two other churches – the 16^th century wooden St. Margaret's Chapel and the 12^th century church of The Saviour (Kosciol Najswietszego Salwatora).