Holy Heart of Jesus Church in Żary, Brick Gothic church in Żary, Poland.
The Holy Heart of Jesus Church is a brick Gothic building with thick red brick walls, regularly spaced buttresses supporting the structure, and three entrance portals facing west. The chancel extends in a three-sided shape toward the east, creating a distinctive interior layout.
Construction began in the 13th century commissioned by Ulrych von Dewin, with the tower and chancel surviving from the early 14th century representing the oldest sections. Gothic expansions continued through the 14th and 15th centuries, shaping the building's character.
The building changed ownership from Catholic to Protestant in 1528, and after World War II returned to Catholic use with a dedication to the Sacred Heart.
The church is best observed from the exterior to fully appreciate the brick facade and buttress structure. Walking around ground level allows you to see both the original medieval layout and compare the interior spaces with the outside proportions.
The eastern wall collapsed in 1559, triggering reconstruction efforts that continued until 1581 under master builder Kasper Müller and Stefan Spinetto. The careful restoration maintained the original medieval proportions that remain visible today.
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