The complex of the Bernardine church and monastery in Leżajsk

The Bernardine Monastery Complex in Leżajsk, located at 8 Mariacki Square, has its origins in the first half of the 17th century, when in 1608 the Bishop of Przemyśl, Maciej Pstrokoński, brought the Bernardine monks to the town. The complex includes: the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the monastery, the church cemetery, defensive walls, and the monastery farm. The church, built in the early Baroque style between 1618 and 1628, is a three-nave structure, 60 meters long, and can accommodate up to 5,000 people. It stands out for its valuable furnishings, including a Baroque main altar, a Rococo tabernacle, and a Mannerist pulpit from 1636. Another notable feature of the church are the crypts containing numerous coffins. The monastery, originally wooden, was rebuilt in the Baroque style around 1637. Surrounded by defensive walls constructed in two stages, it gained additional protection against Tatar forces due to historical invasions. The grounds are adorned with a bronze statue of John Paul II, and since 1928, the church has held the status of a minor basilica and a sanctuary of Our Lady of Consolation. In 2005, the complex was designated a Historic Monument. The monastery houses a rich library with around four thousand old prints. Between 1977 and 1983, the Leżajsk Calvary was created, further emphasizing the cultural and religious significance of this site. The Leżajsk Basilica is considered the most beautiful monument of the Przemyśl Land, combining rich history, architecture, and cultural values.