St. Catherine of Alexandria Basilica in Grybów

The Minor Basilica of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Grybów is a neo-Gothic parish church built between 1908 and 1918, dedicated to the veneration of St. Catherine of Alexandria. Its central feature is a freestanding stone altar from the 16th century, depicting Christ on the Cross surrounded by a bas-relief panorama of Jerusalem. The church also houses the revered icon of Our Lady of the Marvelous Image from 1700, as well as a wooden sculpture of the Madonna and Child, known as the Grybów Madonna, now preserved in the Erazm Ciołek Museum in Kraków. The church tower, standing 70 meters tall, is adorned with bells that have a fascinating history—many were recast after being destroyed during World War II. An interesting fact is that in 2018, new bells were consecrated, including one named "Our Lady of the Marvelous Image." The interior of the basilica is rich with various altars, stained-glass windows, and 19th-century Stations of the Cross. The church is surrounded by numerous valuable monuments, including an 18th-century classicist Chapel of the Passion of Christ and a stone bell tower designed in 1917. The history of this site dates back to the time of Casimir the Great, when the first Gothic church was erected in the 14th century. After significant destruction and fires that affected the original temple, the construction of the new church began, and it was consecrated by the Bishop of Tarnów in 1921. The church's architecture features a three-aisle layout, a hall-like interior, and richly decorated stained-glass windows, enhancing the atmosphere of sanctity and cultural heritage of the region. The basilica is not only a spiritual center but also an important historical and cultural landmark, attracting both the faithful and tourists.