Crypt at Skałka

The National Pantheon was established in the years between 1876 and 1880 in the undergrounds of the church of Pauline Fathers at Skałka. It consists of remains of distinguished people of Polish culture and science. The opening of the Crypt at Skałka took place on the 400th anniversary of the death of Jan Długosz. He was also the first to be buried here. Among Jan Długosz, there are also remains of Wincenty Pol, Józef Ignacy Kraszewski, Teofil Lenartowicz, Adam Asnyk, Stanisław Wyspiański, Jacek Malczewski, Ludwik Solski, and Czesław Miłosz.

During the occupation, burying national heroes in such crypts was an expression of patriotism. The most famous place of such burials was the Wawel Cathedral but it has quickly run out of space. Because of that, the new pantheon was established at Skałka. The crypts covered the area of 250 m2 and could hold around 600 people.