Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Zamość

The Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Zamość is a Baroque temple of the Franciscan Order, built in the 17th century on the initiative of the estate owner Tomasz Zamoyski. Construction, which began in 1637, was completed in 1685. The church was distinguished by its three naves, semicircular presbytery, and richly decorated interior. During the partitions of Poland, it underwent significant changes; in 1774, after Zamość was taken over by Austria, the order was dissolved, and the church interior was converted into a military warehouse. Further modifications took place in 1887, when the roof was lowered and the vaulting was replaced with a simple ceiling. In the interwar period, the temple served various institutions, including a museum and a cinema, and after World War II, it housed the Secondary School of Fine Arts until 2006. In 1993, the church was returned to use as a parish church. Renovation works, which intensified from 2006, aimed to restore the building’s original form. As part of this process, the walls, vaulting, gables, and architectural details were rebuilt. In 2021, the building was consecrated by Bishop Marian Rojek. An interesting fact is that the building underwent numerous transformations, from military to cultural functions, and its architecture has become a significant element of Zamość’s historical heritage.