St. Nicholas Rotunda in Cieszyn

The Rotunda in Cieszyn is the only Romanesque rotunda in Poland, dating back to the 11th or 12th century, and serves as an example of single-apse churches built in Europe from the 8th to the 13th centuries. Architecturally, it is characterized by its eastward orientation, an internal nave diameter of 640 cm, and a semicircular apse with a diameter of 140 cm. The structure, built of limestone using the opus emplectum technique, features walls approximately 100 cm thick and a dome formed from concentrically arranged flat stones. The history of the rotunda dates back to the times of the Cieszyn stronghold; the first mentions of its existence appear in documents from 1155 and 1223, when it was referred to as the ecclesiae sancti Nicolai. Over time, the building served not only the castellan but also the inhabitants of the region. In the 14th century, the rotunda underwent a thorough reconstruction into a castle, which included the addition of Gothic windows. Over the centuries, the temple was repeatedly affected by fires. After the Thirty Years' War, it lost its religious function and fell into ruin, and its surroundings were transformed into a romantic garden. In the 20th century, a reromanization was considered, which took place between 1949 and 1955, and the final restoration of its religious functions occurred on December 6, 1997. It is worth noting that the rotunda has undergone various archaeological studies, which revealed many of its original elements, and numerous conservation works have been carried out. Interestingly, today, masses are held there once a year, on Saint Nicholas Day, whose cult is associated with the beginnings of Christianity in the region. The rotunda has also been featured on the Polish 20 złoty banknote. Due to its architectural and historical significance, as well as its rich cultural heritage, the Rotunda in Cieszyn is an important element of Poland's architectural heritage and a site of numerous studies and cultural events.