Benedictine Abbey

The village of Tyniec is mostly famous for being home to the Benedictine abbey founded by King Casimir the Restorer himself back in 1044. The abbey wasn’t necessarily built out of spiritualism; in fact, Benedictine monks were invited to Krakow in order to restore order and strengthen the position of the newly-found Kingdom of Poland, in the light of major turmoil with the Czechs. This partly explains why the abbey boasts such a defensive and austere allure, as well as its strategic location atop a limestone mountain overlooking the Vistula River. The configuration of the abbey changed quite drastically throughout the years as it underwent raids, cosmetic remodeling, and invasions. It even served as a fortress to rebel Poles during the 1768 War of the Bar Confederation against the Russian Empire.
Nowadays, the complex consists of the abbey itself, a tranquil cloister, the Church of St. Peter and the Church of St. Paul, a museum and a shop that sells Benedictine products such as honey, preserves, cheeses, and more.

Practical Info

The Benedictine Abbey is located at Benedyktyńska 37 in the historic village of Tyniec, roughly 15 kilometers southwest of Krakow. It can be reached by car in 25 minutes via route DW780, DK7, and Bolesława Śmiałego. It can also be reached by public transit using bus #112 from the main train station. Guided tours are available at 9AM, 10AM, 11AM, 12PM, 2PM, and 3PM from Monday to Friday, on the hour between 9AM and 2PM on Saturdays, as well as at 10:15AM, 12PM, 1PM, 2PM, and 3PM on Sundays; it is strongly advised to call ahead and book English-speaking tours in advance. Admission is 6 złoty per person or 10 złoty for a combined ticket that includes the abbey and the museum.