Mariacki Blue

In the main market square in the Polish city of Kraków lies the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known locally as “Kościół Mariacki”. Standing at 80m tall, the church is a fine example of Polish gothic architecture. It is also the origin of the Polish origin myth, known as “Hejnał Mariacki” or St Mary’s Dawn. The story goes that in 1241, as the Mongol horde approached medieval Kraków, a sentry atop the tower sounded the alarm by playing his trumpet, whereupon the gates were closed and disaster averted. The trumpeter took an arrow in his throat for his troubles and is commemorated by a five note bugle call, abruptly ended, played on the hour every hour of every year. This image shows the basilica in the grey blue, Mariacki dawn.