Basilica of the Visitation, Wambierzyce explained

Basilica of the Visitation in Wambierzyce
Native Name:Bazylika Nawiedzenia Najświętszej Marii Panny
Native Name Lang:pl
Pushpin Map:Poland
Coordinates:50.2924°N 16.2717°W
Location:Wambierzyce
Country:Poland
Language(S):Polish
Denomination:Catholic
Status:Basilica
Dedication:Visitation of Mary
Functional Status:Active
Heritage Designation:Cultural heritage site
Designated Date:2 January 1950
Style:Baroque
Years Built:1715–1723
Parish:Visitation of Mary Parish in Wambierzyce
Deanery:Nowa Ruda-Słupiec
Diocese:Świdnica

Basilica of the Visitation (Polish: Bazylika Nawiedzenia Najświętszej Marii Panny, Sanktuarium Wambierzyckiej Królowej Rodzin, German: Basilika Mariä Heimsuchung) is a Baroque basilica minor located in Wambierzyce, Poland. The basilica was built between 1715 and 1723. It was given the status of a basilica minor by Pope Pius XI in 1936.[1]

History

The present basilica is located on a hill, where in the twelfth-century, stood a wooden figure of Mary, the Mother of God. According to a chronicle from 1218, the blind Jan from Raszewo (Jan z Raszewa) regained his sight there. After the event, many pilgrims began visiting the area. Shortly afterwards, an altar, together with candlesticks and a baptismal font, was placed by the statue under the tree. In 1263, a wooden church was built on the hill.[2]

In 1512, Ludwik von Panwitz raised a greater church, constructed out of brick. However, the church was destroyed during the Thirty Years' War. Between 1695 and 1711, a new church was built, but quickly began to crumble and was deconstructed in 1714. Between 1715 and 1723, another church was built by Count Franciszek Antony von Goetzen, which stands to the present day. In 1936, Pope Pius XI gave the basilica the status of basilica minor. In August 1987, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński had crowned the statue of Mary, the Mother of God, giving her the name of Wambierzyce Queen of Families (Wambierzycka Królowa Rodzin).[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: woj. dolnośląskie – pow. bolesławiecki. NID. 12 March 2016.
  2. Web site: Bazylika i Kalwaria w Wambierzycach. Ziemia Kłodzka. 12 March 2016.
  3. Web site: Basilica in Wambierzyce. Wambierzyce. 12 March 2016.