Sanctuary in Żarki, Gothic church in Żarki, Poland
The Sanctuary in Żarki is a brick church featuring a single nave and narrower semicircular presbytery built in Gothic and Renaissance styles. The complex includes a monastery, bell tower, pilgrim house, and outdoor altar alongside the main structure.
Jan Koryciński, the castellan of Oświęcim, established the church in 1559 as a home for a wooden statue of Mary. This marked the beginning of the sanctuary as a formal place of worship.
The wooden statue of Mary at the altar has drawn pilgrims here for centuries seeking spiritual connection. The sanctuary serves as a focal point where visitors come to pray and reflect.
The site is readily accessible for visits throughout the week when services are held. The pilgrim facilities offer different spaces to explore, from the church interior to the outdoor altar area.
A natural spring on the grounds is said to have emerged in 1382 when Prince Władysław of Opole paused there during his travels. This connection to an earlier prince created a pilgrimage tradition that preceded the church's formal establishment.
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