The Cathedral of the Resurrection of the Lord and St. Thomas the Apostle in Zamość

The Cathedral of the Resurrection of the Lord and St. Thomas the Apostle in Zamość is a historic Renaissance church, built at the end of the 16th century on the initiative of Jan Zamoyski, the founder of the city, according to the design of the Italian architect Bernardo Morando. Originally a collegiate church, it was elevated to cathedral status in 1992 upon the establishment of the Diocese of Zamość-Lubaczów. Its architectural style reflects the Lublin Renaissance, featuring a typical basilica structure with 3:2 proportions. The interior is adorned with an 18th-century late Baroque altar and nine chapels dedicated to various figures, including the Zamoyski Chapel with the tombstone of Jan Zamoyski. The cathedral also houses crypts where the remains of the Zamoyski family, including Jan Zamoyski himself, are interred. During the 19th century and the Partitions period, the cathedral underwent multiple renovations, which significantly influenced its current appearance. An interesting fact is that Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral during his seventh pilgrimage to Poland in 1999. Adjacent to the cathedral stands an 18th-century bell tower, which once housed the Sacral Museum. The bell tower, which serves as a viewpoint, features three bells, including the largest one from the 17th century. Restoration works supported by EU funds have restored the cathedral to its former glory, which had been diminished by the 19th-century alterations. The cathedral not only serves a religious function but is also a valuable part of the region's cultural heritage, forming a key element of the Lublin Renaissance Route.