St. Lawrence's Church in Wołów

St. Lawrence Church in Wołów is a historic temple located in the Archdiocese of Wrocław. The original wooden version of the church was replaced by a masonry structure, the construction of which began in 1391, funded by Duke Henry III of Głogów. The vaults of the temple were completed between 1406 and 1408. The church underwent reconstructions after fires in 1465 and 1689, and its restoration took place in 1711. During the reconstruction between 1471 and 1483, it acquired a Late Gothic character. From the 16th century, the church became the main Lutheran place of worship in Wołów, with a brief Catholic period between 1682 and 1701. In 1908, a vestibule was added on the western side. The temple features a four-bay, rectangular nave and an elongated polygonal chancel. The entire structure is buttressed, and the interior is a three-aisled hall with 18th-century monastic vaults supported on square pillars, except for the chancel, which has a ribbed cross vault. The walls contain numerous Renaissance and Baroque epitaphs of Wołów townspeople from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Between the nave and the chancel is a square tower, next to which the sacristy is located. Among the interesting elements of the church are the organ by Adam Horatio Casparini from 1715–1717, which has retained its richly decorated prospect and numerous original pipes. After 1945, the church was abandoned and fell into disrepair until 1973, when it was taken over by the Catholic Church and consecrated on August 9, 1981. Until 1998, it served as a subsidiary church, and since 2001, the International Cantus Organi Organ Music Festival has been held there. It is particularly noteworthy that in 1504, Duke John II the Mad was buried in this church. St. Lawrence Church is an important element of the cultural heritage of the region, combining diverse architectural styles and the history of the local community.