Funding of 15th Century Altars in St. Mary’s Church in Cracow and Providing for their Upkeep till 1529

Abstract

The altars described in the article were the last - according to the preserved records – to be funded in the 15th century inside St. Mary’s Church. Procuring a new main altar for the church in Cracow testified, as it were, to the standing that this church gained at the end of the century. There is no doubt whatsoever that Cracow burghers treated the basilica with exceptional care manifested through their generosity when it came to funding altars and providing for ministers at the altars. Unquestionably, the most magnificent of all 15th century altars - and one that was at the same time an expression o f care of all burghers for the interior decoration of the church - was the main altar of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (1477-1489), made by Wit Stwosz. At the end of the 15th century Cracow burghers were able to participate in services held at the main altar or any of the 32 side altars (11 of which were funded in the 14th and 21 in the 15thcentury) or in services in chapels. The altars were religious or votive offerings by Cracowburghers, who provided for the old and made new provisions in their legacies as well asmaintained the existing ones and made provisions for new ministers.