St. Mary's Church stands on the site of an ancient pagan place of worship.

[2] The church's foundation stone was laid by Janusz I the Old, Duke of Masovia and his wife, Danutė of Lithuania, in 1409.

It is recognizable from a great distance and is depicted in the oldest images of Warsaw.

During World War II, the church was severely damaged by German forces - the roof of the nave collapsed and the upper portion of the tower was blown up.

[5] Behind the church is small park with a set of steps that lead down to the Vistula and the so named Kościuszko banks of the river.