Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Złotoryja

The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Złotoryja is a remarkable Roman Catholic temple with roots dating back to the first half of the 13th century. Founded by Henry the Bearded, the church is one of the few urban parish churches in Silesia, and its architecture combines various styles, from Romanesque to Gothic. Built from fine-grained sandstone, the church stands out for its massive form, which it owes to the knightly Order of St. John, the patrons of the temple since 1270. Innovative architectural elements were used in its construction, such as tracery, which was introduced in Poland in the early 13th century. The church was built in stages, with evolving concepts and plans. The first stage included the foundations of the presbytery and the transept, though over time the apse was redesigned into a pentagonal shape. In the next stage, various details were added, including pointed arch windows with tracery and richly decorated portals. The church's uniqueness is also emphasized by its alignment along a northeast-southwest axis, which distinguishes it from most medieval churches built along an east-west axis. The interior features a Renaissance pulpit, epitaphs, and Baroque altars from the 17th and 18th centuries. It is also worth mentioning the symbolic role the church played in the life of the local community, serving not only as a place of prayer but also as a cultural center where one could connect with the history of Złotoryja and many notable figures, such as Valentin Trozendorf. From the church tower, visitors can enjoy views of the town and the surrounding mountains, and the building itself, though damaged during various historical upheavals, still impresses with its majesty. Interestingly, the church was once surrounded by a cemetery and a moat, and its outer walls are adorned with masks symbolizing evil. The facade, particularly with its massive portal, was constructed at the turn of the 13th and 20th centuries, with its last restoration taking place between 1914 and 1917. It is also worth noting that the entrance portal bears a mysterious inscription from 1661, testifying to the rich history of this place. The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Złotoryja is not only a place of worship but a true treasury of history and architecture that continues to amaze with its uniqueness to this day.