Visit the Trompe L’Oeil Church of St. Anne`s

The St. Anne`s Church is one of the few surviving buildings near Old Town. There is also no other building in Warsaw which includes so many different architectural styles. It contains even Gothic elements, dating back to the 16th century. Some of the illusionist wall paintings may trick your eye!

St. Ann`s Church around 1855

The church`s appearance has not changed since 1788 when its Neoclassical facade was constructed according to Piotr Christian Aigner`s design. The idea of constructing it came from King Stanisław August. The previous Baroque facade was never finished and it disfigured the building standing near the Royal Castle. It was probably annoying for the king who decided to support financially the new facade.

The Church`s rich and colorful Baroque interiors were designed in the middle of the 18th century. Besides the trompe l’oeil wall paitnings, have a look at the impressive Baroque organ. There is no other organ like this in Warsaw. The Renaissance Władysława z Gielniowa Chapel with a dome dates from the 17th century. A corridor of the former monastery contains the only crystal vault in Warsaw built in 1514. It`s a hidden treasure of this church that even many locals have never seen.

The bell tower next to the church was constructed in the 19th century in the Neo-Renaissance style. You should definitely go to the top of the tower where you can admire the most breathtaking view of the city.