Collegiate Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation and St. Stanislaus the Bishop in Szamotuły

The Collegiate Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation and St. Stanislaus the Bishop in Szamotuły is one of the most valuable monuments of Gothic architecture in Greater Poland, built between 1423 and 1431 thanks to the foundation of Dobrogost and Wincenty Świdwa. Since 1542, it has served as a collegiate church, and its history is rich with numerous events, including the Reformation, natural disasters, and looting during World War II. The interior of the basilica impresses with its late Renaissance main altar from 1616 and rich furnishings, including a replica of the painting of Our Lady of Consolation, which is highly venerated. In 1970, Cardinal Wyszyński crowned the image of Our Lady, and in 2014, the church was granted the title of a minor basilica. The basilica is a three-nave, brick structure with late Gothic gables and refined architectural details, such as pointed arch arcades and star vaults. Around the church, there is a group of monumental trees, including chestnuts and elms, and the area is surrounded by a brick wall with two gates. Nearby, there are also monuments related to John Paul II and various historical commemorations. Interesting facts about the church include legends about ghosts and the prayer of Halszka of Ostrog, as well as a story called "Marysieńka's Elm," which refers to King John III Sobieski. The Szamotuły Basilica combines rich cultural, historical, and architectural heritage, making it one of the most important sites on the map of Greater Poland.