Revitalization of the Cistercian Abbey complex and its ground in Krzeszów
The former Cistercian abbey in Krzeszów has been given a new lease of life. Most importantly, it has opened its gates to visitors who can now enjoy guided tours of the abbey followed by a tasty meal in the local restaurant and a good night’s sleep in the Benedictine Convent.
The place has everything a tourist or pilgrim may wish for – the Minor Basilica of the Assumption with a painting of the Madonna of Krzeszów crowned by the Pope John Paul II, the Silesian Piasts Mausoleum, the Church of St Joseph with frescos by Michael Willmann (depicting scenes from the lives of the Holy Family with clear references to events contemporary with the painter’s life), and the Calvary of Krzeszów. Apart from the Madonna, the Basilica also conceals other paintings and sculptures by renowned artists and a baroque organ built by Michael Engler. The recent renovation of the organ in the Jemlich Repair Shop in Dresden made it look and sound a few hundred years younger. Visitors can once again be enthralled by the music flowing from the organ’s impressive 2,500 pipes.
Krzeszów lies on the Cistercian Trail which wends its way across Europe, and is a good example of a common cultural heritage shared by the different European nations. Over the centuries the Cistercians – one of the oldest orders dating from the 11th century – gained a reputation as hard working and self-sufficient administrators who also contributed to the development of agriculture, horticulture and brewing. The recent developments at Krzeszów are in line with the managerial prowess of the monks. At the entrance, the visitor is welcomed by ornate information boards (alas, only in Polish). The elegant alleyways, co-funded with EU Funds, lead in different directions to the Basilica, the Church of St Joseph, and the Benedictine Convent. One of the abbey buildings, visible from the gate, has been converted into a pilgrim’s house with a tourist information centre and a souvenir shop. Next door there is an elegant restaurant with a fireplace.
The recently re-plastered Benedictine Convent stands out from the rest of the complex. It now offers 25 beds in seven newly refurbished rooms. The oldest part of the convent, also open to visitors, has an unparalleled peace and quiet. The building also houses a library and a conference hall with a backroom used for training, youth meetings and scientific conferences.
The restoration of the former Cistercian Abbey will be continued. To this end, the amount of PLN26 million has been allocated from the Infrastructure and Environment Programme.
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