Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Strzegom

The Collegiate Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Strzegom is a Gothic church located in the Świdnica diocese in Lower Silesia. It was built by the Knights Hospitaller, a military order that received Strzegom in 1180. The current structure was erected between 1250 and 1390 using quarried granite, basalt, and sandstone, with construction continuing until the early 16th century. The church is a three-nave basilica with a transept, characterized by its complex architecture, including star and rib vaults supported by rectangular pillars. The western façade features two towers, though they were never completed. Inside, numerous valuable artworks can be found, including stone sedilia, a sacrament house, and a pulpit from 1592 crafted by Casper Berger. The bells are also noteworthy, with one dating back to 1318, considered one of the oldest in Poland. The church’s history is rich; it was devastated by fire in 1718, gained the status of a minor basilica after 2002, and was designated a collegiate church in 2017. The sculpted portals are particularly remarkable, serving as rare examples of medieval iconography in Poland, depicting scenes from the life of St. Paul and the Coronation of the Virgin Mary. The culture and history of Strzegom are deeply intertwined with this site, making it a significant landmark in Lower Silesia.