ars-videndi:High Altar of St. Mary’s Basilica (Kościół Mariacki) in Krakow, the largest
ars-videndi:High Altar of St. Mary’s Basilica (Kościół Mariacki) in Krakow, the largest Gothic altar in Europe, carved between 1477 and 1489 by the German sculptor Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz in Polish; before 1450 – 1533) The altarpiece is about 13 m high and 11 m wide when the panels are completely opened. The realistically sculptured figures are 2.7 m high; each one was carved out of a linden trunk. 1. General view in the interior2. View with wings open. The side panels show the six scenes of the Joys of Mary (when closed, the panels show 12 scenes of the life of Jesus and Mary)3-4. The central scene: Dormition of the Virgin, with the Twelve Apostles5. The upper central part: Assumption of the Virgin6. The top structure (outside the main frame): Coronation of the Virgin A few weeks prior to the outbreak of the Second World War and the German occupation of Poland, the altarpiece was dismantled and taken to Sandomierz, where it was stored at the local cathedral and seminary. The Nazis located the altarpiece and transported it to the Third Reich. It was recovered in 1946 in Bavaria, hidden in the basement of the heavily bombed Nuremberg Castle. The High Altar underwent major restoration work in Poland and was put back in its place at the Basilica 10 years later. (Wikipedia) -- source link