Franciscan Church in Przemyśl

The Church of St. Mary Magdalene and the Immaculate Virgin Mary, along with the adjacent Franciscan monastery in Przemyśl, is a significant religious complex with a rich history dating back to the 13th century. The Franciscan order arrived in Przemyśl in 1237, and the first church was built in 1378. The complex was repeatedly damaged by fires, and the current form of the church, consecrated in 1778, is the result of a 24-year construction effort supported by influential donors such as Bishop Sierakowski. The church features a Baroque façade with sculptures attributed to the Lviv artist Fabian Fesinger and a polychrome depicting the Coronation of the Virgin Mary. The interior of the church is richly decorated, and the main altar houses a miraculous 17th-century image of the Immaculate Virgin Mary. The main nave contains altars dedicated to St. Anthony and St. Francis. A notable feature is the relics of St. Vincent, which were brought to the church in the 16th century and are venerated during the annual Wincentiada, the feast of the city's patron saint. The monks of the convent played a significant role in the history of Przemyśl, and their list of guardians dates back to the 19th century. The church is also renowned for its numerous frescoes and polychromes created by artists such as Stanisław Stroiński and Tomasz Gertner. It is also worth noting the monastery's contributions to the local community and its connection to the region's history, making it one of the most important places of worship in the Bieszczady Mountains.