St. Ladislaus Church in Szydłów

St. Ladislaus Church in Szydłów is a two-nave parish church from the 14th century, built on the order of King Casimir the Great as part of his penance for the murder of Canon Marcin Baryczka. The temple, erected around 1355, replaced an older wooden church. In 1630, the church burned down in a fire, but after reconstruction, only the original shape of the presbytery was restored. Next to the church stands an 18th-century bell tower, which was converted from a defensive tower, and its walls still feature loopholes, testifying to the historical defensive functions of this site. Near the temple, there was once a Gothic vicarage, but it was destroyed during battles, and its ruins are still visible today by the defensive wall. The church is part of the Lesser Poland Way of St. James, a renewed route running from Sandomierz to Tyniec, which echoes the medieval pilgrimage to the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela. Its presence on this route highlights the religious and cultural significance of Szydłów in the context of pilgrimages and the spiritual heritage of the region, as well as showcasing the church's connection to local traditions and history.