St. Florian

Abstract

The statues of St. Florian and St. Wenceslaus were created in the fourth quarter of the 18th century and were re-mounted on both sides of the high altar in the chancel. These works are characterised by an incredibly high level of workmanship, which is not characteristic of the works of sculptors operating in Cracow at that time. Saint Florian was a Roman soldier and martyr. In 1184, thanks to the efforts of Casimir the Just, Cracow received his relics. In the village of Kleparz, near Cracow (today its district), a temple dedicated to this saint was built. The miracle of saving this church from a fire in 1528 contributed to the spread of the cult of this saint as a patron saint of firefighting in Poland.