Church of Our Lady of Grace in Warsaw

The Church of Our Lady of Grace, the former seat of the Jesuits in Warsaw, is located in the Old Town at 10 Świętojańska Street and serves as an important sanctuary in the capital. Built between 1609 and 1626, likely designed by Jan Frankiewicz, it combines elements of Italian and Northern European architecture, as well as features characteristic of Poland, such as the Lublin vault. The temple is a Mannerist-Baroque, single-nave structure with an ornamental gable and a dome over the apse. The history of the church is marked by many significant events, including its destruction in 1656 during the Swedish invasion, and its subsequent conversion into a pharmacy and a school established by the Jesuit monks. After the dissolution of the Jesuit order in 1773, the church served various roles until the Jesuits returned in 1918. In 1944, during World War II, the temple was almost completely destroyed but has since been restored to its original function. The church houses valuable works of art, including an image of Our Lady of Grace, crowned by the pope, and a sculpture of a bear that references local legends. Inside, visitors can also see a commemorative plaque dedicated to the visits of John Paul II, as well as modern Angel Doors by Igor Mitoraj. The church also features Gothic crypts where numerous epitaphs and historical artifacts have been discovered. An interesting legend tells of the bear sculpture, which represents the unfortunate Prince Mieszko, awaiting love. The Church of Our Lady of Grace plays a key role in the cultural and religious history of Warsaw, serving as a pilgrimage site and a testament to the capital's turbulent past.