St. Casimir's Church in Warsaw

St. Casimir's Church, also known as the Church of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, is located in Warsaw's New Town at 2 New Town Market Square. It was built between 1688 and 1692 on the initiative of Queen Marie Casimire Sobieska, who transformed the former residence of Adam Kotowski, the stolnik (royal pantler) of Wyszogród, into a church and monastery complex for the Order of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. The architect was Tylman van Gameren, and the church was consecrated in 1692. In the 18th century, the church underwent numerous renovations, including the addition of illusionistic altars and a new organ. In 1740, the monastery building designed by Antonio Solari was erected. After 1794, as a result of the Partitions of Poland, the monastery lost many of its estates, and in 1855 the church was severely damaged by fire. During World War II, it was used as a hospital, and on August 31, 1944, it was completely destroyed during shelling, resulting in the tragic deaths of approximately 1,000 people. Architecturally, the church was characterized by a three-story structure, a dome, and an unusual interior layout based on a Greek cross plan. The exterior decorations were rich, featuring Baroque and Neoclassical elements, while the interior was adorned with numerous paintings and sculptures, including tombs of female members of the Sobieski family. Wooden pulpits and numerous silver liturgical vessels attested to its wealth. An interesting fact is that today we find deep symbolism in the temple's architecture related to the idea of the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Despite numerous destructions, the church has become an important landmark on Warsaw's cultural map, and its history is inextricably linked with the history of Poland and its monarchs. Post-war renovations, carried out between 1948 and 1952, restored its religious functions and made it a place of remembrance for the tragic events of the past.