Carmelite Monastery in Czerna

The Trail of the Little Jurassic Valleys winds through picturesque landscapes, including the Discalced Carmelites Monastery in Czerna, founded in 1629 by Agnieszka Firlejowa née Tęczyńska. This male monastery serves as a dual sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Raphael Kalinowski. The complex, built on a quadrangular plan with a central early Baroque-style church adorned with black Dębnik marble, is a fine example of 17th-century sacral architecture. Adjacent to the monastery lies its cemetery, which initially served as a burial site for hermits and, from 1843 onward, for the deceased. Notable features include sculptural works and tomb gnomes that reflect the rich history and culture of the place. The ruins of former monastic buildings and Stations of the Cross from the 1980s add local charm. The monastery is surrounded by a nature reserve dedicated to protecting bat species, blending seamlessly into the region’s natural environment. An intriguing fact is that the monastery’s cellar hosts a colony of the lesser horseshoe bat, a rare species. The monastery’s history includes dramatic events, such as the arrest of the prior in 1869 and the tragic fate of the monks during World War II. The Carmelite Museum, located within the complex, enriches the cultural and pilgrimage tourism offerings of the region.