Holy Cross Church

Religious Site Baroque church in Warsaw with national memorials

On Warsaw’s Royal Route, the Church of the Holy Cross holds Chopin’s heart and Baroque interiors; visitors attend services, view the urn and study church art in a historic city setting.

Main image

The Church of the Holy Cross (Kościół Świętego Krzyża) is a central Roman Catholic church on Krakowskie Przedmieście in Warsaw, with origins in the 17th and 18th centuries and prominent civic role in the city.

The interior contains Baroque and later architectural elements and notable funerary plaques; it is widely visited for the presence of Frédéric Chopin’s heart and as an active parish church on the Royal Route. The building was heavily damaged during the Second World War and subsequently reconstructed in the postwar period.

Originally built across the 17th and 18th centuries, the church has undergone multiple reconstructions and restorations tied to periods of war damage and 19th and 20th century renovations. Its long use has combined liturgical functions with memorial and civic roles.

The church stands in central Warsaw’s Śródmieście district on Krakowskie Przedmieście, close to the University of Warsaw and other major landmarks along the historic Royal Route.

  • Chopin's heart: A small marble plaque inside marks that the composer Frédéric Chopin's heart is interred within the church.
Holy Cross Church
Holy Cross Church (Kościół Świętego Krzyża), Krakowskie Przedmieście, Warsaw, Poland
52.2386, 21.0167
Open to visitors; mass times vary (check parish schedule)
Free to enter the church; donations accepted

How to Get to Holy Cross Church #

Holy Cross Church is on Krakowskie Przedmieście in central Warsaw, a short walk from Nowy Świat-Uniwersytet metro station or from the Royal Route. It is easily combined with a walking tour of central Warsaw.

Tips for Visiting Holy Cross Church #

  • Hear the organ - recitals are sometimes scheduled and the church's acoustics are remarkable.
  • Visit the plaque marking Fryderyk Chopin's heart interment (the composer's heart was placed in an urn in 1849).
  • Attend weekday morning services quietly to observe daily life in the church beyond tourist rhythms.

Best Time to Visit Holy Cross Church #

Visit outside of peak summer for quieter contemplation and the chance to attend services.

Spring/Autumn
Apr-Jun & Sep-Oct · 5-20°C
Pleasant walking weather for combining a church visit with a stroll along Krakowskie Przedmieście.
Winter
Dec-Feb · -5-5°C
Quiet, atmospheric interior with fewer tourists; check service schedules.

Weather & Climate near Holy Cross Church #

Climate

Holy Cross Church's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 24°C. Moderate rainfall (519 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 65 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
AugustJuneJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
37°
Warmest Month
-31°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -5°C. The driest month with just 24 mm and mostly overcast skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-5°
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

24 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
8.1h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-4°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.7h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

29 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

62 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

35 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
13.8h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
19°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
15.5h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
12° 22°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

67 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
16.5h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with 74 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 24°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

74 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
16.0h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
66%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

57 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
High
14.5h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

35 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.4h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.6h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

38 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Freezing
C
Temperature
-3°
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

35 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.5h daylight

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