Church of Our Lady in Racibórz

The Church of the Mother of God in Racibórz is a Roman Catholic parish church and Marian sanctuary located in the Silesian Voivodeship, on John Paul II Street in the Nowe Zagrody district. It is the oldest Marian sanctuary in Upper Silesia. Its history dates back to 1432, when the first wooden church was built. The current brick church was constructed in the Baroque style between 1723 and 1736 and was consecrated by Bishop Elias Sommerfeld on September 25, 1736. The church is characterized by its impressive twin towers and richly decorated interior. A valuable religious treasure of this site is the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, measuring 77 by 120 cm, painted on wood at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. The icon is similar in style and composition to the famous image of Our Lady of Częstochowa. In 1932, on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the church, the icon was crowned by Cardinal Adolf Bertram, and the crowns were blessed by Pope John Paul II. The image is housed in the neo-Baroque main altar, which was built in 1870. The church not only serves religious functions but also represents an important element of the region's cultural heritage, attracting both the faithful and tourists interested in its history and architecture.