Widely regarded as Kraków's worst sculpture, this unfortunate memorial of Jesuit priest Piotr Skarga has been the subject of controversy since its unveiling on the St. Mary Magdalene Square in 2001. For one thing, there are the circumstances regarding its commissioning: the likeness of this stern 16th/17th-century theologian, counter-reformer, and proponent of ascetism was placed here thanks to the "Archbrotherhood of Mercy," without proper approval from the authorities. The Archbrotherhood, which happens to be Poland's oldest charity, was actually founded by Skarga way back in 1584, and the spot they chose for his memorial was no accident: the priest's remains lie in a crypt right across the street, in the Church of Saints Peter and Paul. While all this in principle is quite appropriate, the way the Archbrotherhood went about it was anything but: instead of announcing a call for entries, a single sculptor, Czesław Dźwigaj, was chosen; no experts were consulted; and permission was obtained from people who weren't authorised to give it.

Another issue is the aesthetics - the sculpture has drawn the ire of numerous architects and art historians, who called its style "pompous realism" and noted that poor old Skarga looks like he's about to commit suicide by jumping off his pedestal. The Polish Architects Society even went as far as to sue the city for disregarding the development plan for the square, which had been agreed on in 1995 and certainly did not allow for angry-looking sculptures of religious figures. All this made the monument a shoo-in for the 2001 Archi-Szopa award for architectural atrocity of the year. Bending to the backlash, in 2008 the mayor of Kraków and the ridiculed sculptor agreed to move Skarga to a courtyard across the street, where he would be far less visible; however, the move likely was delayed until the square was renovated and he's still there all these years later, ready to spring forward and beat with his bible anyone who sneers at him.