Meadows of the Brothers

Łąki Bratiańskie is a settlement in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, primarily known for its historical Franciscan Reformer monastery and Marian sanctuary that operated from the 17th to the 19th century. In the late Middle Ages, this site was a pagan sacred grove where ceremonies related to spring and harvest cults were held. A brick chapel was built here in 1400, and in 1631, the construction of the monastery began thanks to the foundation of Paweł Działyński. Łąki quickly gained a reputation as the "Prussian Częstochowa" due to the growing Marian devotion, which reached its peak after the coronation of the statue of the Mother of God of Łąki in 1752. The monastery faced difficulties but managed to survive even the dissolution in 1810, which did not fully eliminate it. In the 19th century, the site's significance diminished, and after the monastery's suppression in 1875, only ruins remained. Pilgrimages to Łąki, especially during the indulgence period, attracted thousands of believers from nearby towns, contributing to the spiritual revival of the region. It is said that in the 18th and 19th centuries, up to 30,000 pilgrims attended the great indulgence. The monastery grounds contain the graves of notable figures, including Bishop Kazimierz Opaliński. A local legend tells of an apparition of the Virgin Mary in the Drwęca River and the miraculous healing of two beggars. The monastery ruins are now under the administrative care of Nowe Miasto Lubawskie, and the local community strives to restore the sacred character of the site. The Brotherhood of Łąki, founded in 1999, works to preserve traditions and maintain the post-monastic grounds, leading to a renewed interest in this historic place.