St. Anne’s Church

With a lavish baroque interior, St. Anne’s Church also offers one of the most photogenic views of Warsaw’s Castle Square.

St. Anne’s Church and Viewing Terrace

Sometimes considered the cathedral of Warsaw, St. Anne’s rich baroque interior is spectacular, and the church has several features unique to Warsaw, such as a diamond vault. The church dates back to the 15th century and Gothic elements still remain on the building’s exterior. The church has been reconstructed many times over the 17th and 18th century and was heavily damaged during the Second World War.

The splendour of the church aside, the adjacent bell tower is one of Warsaw’s must-see attractions, as it gives a panoramic view of the city and one of the photogenic perspectives of the Old Town.

What To See In St. Anne’s Church

The Castle Square view from St. Anne’s bell tower

The church’s 18th-century Neoclassical façade is guarded by sculptures of the Four Evangelists by Jakub Monaldi and Franciszek Pinck. The stunning interior is worth a visit, even if you are only passing by, as it is one of the most beautiful in Warsaw. There is a magnificent Trompe-l’œil ceiling, a rich rococo altar, and a magnificent pipe organ above the main entrance. As with many baroque churches, the details is so rich that it benefits from a second viewing.

The other key reason to visit is the separate bell tower, which overlooks Castle Square and gives excellent views of Warsaw. This is a definite highlight and should not be missed!

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How To Visit St. Anne’s Church

Entrance to St. Anne’s bell tower and market

St. Anne’s Church has a prime location at the very top of Krakowskie Przedmiescie, right on the edge of Castle Square, so it is very easy to find if you’re exploring the Royal Route or visiting the Old Town. It is served by either of the Plac Zamkowy bus stops or the Stare Miasto bus and tram stops.

St. Anne’s bell tower ticket office

The vast frontage is easy enough to find and, if the church is open, you can simply slip in through one of the entrance doors. The bell tower is to the left and entered through a gateway and small courtyard. If you go through one of the three arched gateways, you’ll find a small courtyard with a market, which is worth a quick look around. To the left, directly inside the gate, is the tower itself with a doorway at the base. Look for “taras widokowy”. Go into the shop, which sells Warsaw souvenirs, and you can buy a ticket at the desk.

St. Anne’s Church address: ul. Krakowskie Przedmiescie 68, Warsaw 00-322 Poland

The church is free to enter but there is a charge of 10zł (concessions 7zł) for the bell tower. They only accept cash, but there is an ATM opposite the church.

The church is open to the public during the following times:

• Mon-Fri 7am-6.30pm
• Sat 3pm-6.30pm
• Sun 10am-9pm

These times are subject to change, especially during public holidays or if the church is being used for a special occasion.

The bell tower is open as follows:

• Mon-Fri 10am-9pm
• Sat / Sun 11am-10pm

Powiśle and Northern Śródmieście Districts: Sometimes referred to as ‘downtown Warsaw’, Śródmieście contains the Royal Route of Nowy Świat and Krakowskie Przedmiescie – two historic streets crammed with things to see and do. The area is also home to the iconic Palace Of Science And Culture and the stunning InterContinental Warszawa hotel. These districts are peppered with amazing restaurants, including the Michelin listed Szóstka.

Tips For Visiting St. Anne’s Church

St. Anne’s Church

• The church is worth at least a quick visit but it’s possible to spend closer to an hour if you want a proper look, especially if there’s an organ recital. The tower will take at least 15 minutes to visit, but you’ll want to take plenty of photos and it’s a nice place to rest for a while, if the weather allows.
• The church is in regular use, so please respect those who are using it to pray. Tread lightly and show consideration in how you dress. If there is a service in progress, think about returning at another time.
• The bell tower has 147 steps and is a both a little claustrophobic and dizzying. There isn’t anywhere to sit on the staircase, although there are benches once you reach the top. Although the tower is roofed, it is still exposed to the elements. It gets wet and even icy up there.
• There is nowhere to leave coats and bags in either the church or at the bell tower, so make sure you pack light. It can also get very windy at the top of the tower and you do risk having your hat blown away!
• There is no public toilet in either the church of the bell tower, although there is one in the building opposite McDonald’s on Castle Square.
• Photography is allowed in both the church and from the bell tower. In fact, the view from the top is one of the finest in Warsaw. Show consideration when taking photographs in the church.
• Children should love the top of the bell tower. There is fencing all around the viewing platform, so it is very safe.
• Unfortunately the bell tower has no elevator, so is completely out of bounds for those with mobility issues. The entrance to the church is also a bit tricky to navigate.
• There nowhere to get food and drink within the church or bell tower, although the observation deck makes a nice place to eat sandwiches, if it’s not too windy. Otherwise, the area is absolutely full of cafes.
• The ticket office to the bell tower doubles as a gift shop, with Warsaw memorabilia and postcards.
• Entry to the bell tower is by cash only. There is a cash point opposite the church on Krakowskie Przedmiescie.

Where Is This Place Located?

Find this location on the Warsaw Visit Google map:

• Open the Warsaw Visit map
• Click on a marker and it will give you the name of the landmark, with a brief description and links for more information and directions. You can pan, scroll, and zoom around the map, or use the + or – buttons in the bottom left of the map to zoom in and out
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side, sorted by category. Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
• Each category is on a different layer, which can be switched on and off. So you can just see the Hotel or Restaurant pins, for example
• If you are using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location

Map pins are color coded:

• YELLOW: Warsaw Sightseeing
• BLUE: Warsaw Hotels
• RED: Warsaw Places To Eat – Michelin restaurants are DARK RED
• ORANGE: Warsaw Nightlife
• PURPLE: Shopping In Warsaw
• GREEN: Warsaw Transportation