Cistercian Church and monastery in Mogiła

The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Wenceslaus in Mogiła together with the accompanying monastic buildings are among the most precious sacred heritage of the Małopolska Region. The Cistercian monks, to whom they belong, arrived here in 1222. The church they built is an example of the transitional period between Romanesque and Gothic styles of art, which is actually hard to guess when one is looking at the church's baroque façade appended in the 18th century. The church was built following the guidelines governing all Cistercian architecture throughout Europe: a short chancel enclosed in a straight wall, with two adjacent pairs of side chapels (known as twins). In bygone days the monks used them for the night prayers that were prescribed in the strict rule of the Order.

In the 16th century, the chapels on the northern side of the chancel were transformed into one: the Chapel of the Holy Cross, where the Crucifix of Mogiła, famous for its graces, is situated. It is an unusual sculpture which according to 12th-century tradition was fished out from the Vistula River. It is the only element of the church's furnishing to have been saved from the great fire of the church in the 15th century. Only Christ's hair and the band on His loins were burnt. Since that time, the figure of the Saviour receives a wig of real hair, and a loincloth of true fabric.

Stanisław Samostrzelnik was associated with the Cistercian monastery in the 16th century, a greatly talented man who served God by illuminating books, making paintings, and painting murals. Those decorating the chancel and transept of the Church in Mogiła are among the best examples of his talent. Similar examples of Renaissance painting are extremely rare.