The Two Brothers Legend, Kraków, Poland

If you’ve visited Kraków, Poland, then you’re probably familiar with St. Mary’s Basilica that stands in Rynek Główny. But did you know there’s a legend behind why the two towers are different heights? Two brothers, known as the best builders in Kraków, were hired to build the towers. Work progressed smoothly and amicably. The first brother completed his tower and proudly crowned it with the cupola. But his pride started to turn into worry as he noticed his brother’s tower becoming taller and more splendid. His pride turned into worry. His worry into jealousy. His obsession drove him to secretly murder his brother. But his guilty conscience filled him with remorse. On the day of the church’s consecration, he climbed to the top of his tower, confessed his crime, and pierced his heart with the same knife toppling to the ground below. If you walk across the square to the Cloth Hall, Sukiennice, you will find the knife hanging above the door as a reminder. Hand painted in 60 hours with a toothpick. ©2025 Kaytlin Ray All Rights Reserved