Wambierzyce

Basilica

Monumental stone stairs of three flights lead to the church. There are 56 steps in total, of which 33 in the middle flight symbolize the years of Jesus’ life on earth. Another 15 steps above the first terrace represent the years of Mary’s life before her Divine Motherhood. The impressively large façade, 52.5 m high, is designed in the late Renaissance style and divided into three parts, the central one being the widest. Symmetrically arranged double pilasters and panels decorate it, and a small gallery dividing the façade into two levels gives the church a palatial character. This impression is enhanced by the upper balustrade adorned with stone statues of the apostles. The façade is crowned with three flat gables. In the semicircular niche in the middle, a large wooden statue of Our Lady of Wambierzyce from the mid-18th century can be seen, above which is the emblem with the coat of arms of Pope Pius XI. The façade is particularly impressive when illuminated in the evening.

The baroque interior of the church is decorated with paintings, sculptures and frescoes. Among them, the works of Karol Sebastian Flacker are particularly noteworthy: the pulpit, a sculptural composition expressing the words of the Marian hymn Magnificat, and the main altar containing the miraculous figurine of Our Lady. The figurine, with its pedestal, is made of linden wood in the Gothic style, measuring 28 cm in height. It depicts the Mother of God holding the naked Child Jesus. The Child holds a bird in His right hand and reaches for a fruit in Mary’s left hand. Both Mary and Jesus wear crowns. The figurine is polychromed and, like other images of this type, dressed in so-called “robes” covering it from the neck down. There are several robes in different colors, depending on the feast or liturgical season.

On 22 February 1936, Pope Pius XI granted the church in Wambierzyce the title of minor basilica. This honorary title is given to churches distinguished for their historic, liturgical or pastoral value. On 17 August 1980, the greatest and most solemn event in the centuries-long history of the sanctuary took place – the figurine of Our Lady was crowned with papal crowns as the Queen of Families of Wambierzyce. During the coronation, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński read a special letter from Pope John Paul II, who wrote, among other things: “I wish to express with this greeting my great joy that today the Mother of God, in Her Sanctuary in Wambierzyce, is honored in a special way – this is the day of Her coronation. I rejoice with all participants of this event, for which the Sanctuary of Wambierzyce has waited so many centuries.”

In 1990, the Jesuits left Wambierzyce, and diocesan priests took over pastoral care for the next 17 years. Since June 2007, the sanctuary has been served by the Franciscans of the Province of St. Hedwig of the Order of Friars Minor.