The Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rzeszów

The Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rzeszów is a historic parish church dating back to 1629, serving as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Rzeszów. Located in the city center, it adjoins a Bernardine monastery, whose history is tied to its founder, Mikołaj Spytek Ligęza, who acquired Rzeszów in 1584. The church was built in a late Renaissance, Mannerist, or early Baroque style, making it a remarkable example of the harmonious blending of these architectural trends. Its distinctive features include chapels with lavish decorations and tomb monuments of the Ligęza family, which form the largest collection of alabaster orant sculptures in Europe. The church played a significant cultural and religious role, focusing on the conversion of Orthodox Christians and the revival of religious life in the region. After the miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary was crowned in 1763, the sanctuary became a pilgrimage site, gaining further prominence following its re-coronation in 1896. The Bernardines, present in Rzeszów since 1629, were also involved in charitable work, which contributed to their standing in the local community. An interesting fact is that the statue of Our Lady of Rzeszów, crafted in the late Gothic style, likely dates back to the 15th century, while the church’s overall architecture reflects epochal shifts in art and design.