Basilica of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Chełm

The white towers and green dome on top of Chełm Hill are visible from far away, and the building itself bears the marks of three Christian traditions. It was built in the 18th century as a Uniate (Greek Catholic) cathedral, turned into a Russian Orthodox cathedral with onion domes in the 19th century, and became a Roman Catholic church after 1919. Today it is the Basilica of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the shrine of Our Lady of Chełm, surrounded by the oldest part of the town.

History: cathedral, sobor, basilica

Tradition says the first church on this spot was founded around 1256 by King Daniel of Galicia. After the Union of Brest in 1596 it became a Uniate cathedral. The present building dates from 1735–1756, designed by Paolo Fontana and built under the supervision of Tomasz Rezler in late baroque style. After a fire in 1802 it was rebuilt with neoclassical façades.

When the Uniate Church was abolished in 1875, the Russian authorities converted it into an Orthodox cathedral: the towers received onion domes, and a four-column portico, still standing, was added at the entrance. Catholics took it over in 1919 and in the 1930s restored something close to its baroque look. In 1940 the German occupation authorities handed it to Ukrainian Orthodox believers; Catholics regained it in August 1944. In 1988 Pope John Paul II gave it the title of minor basilica.

What to see

• The twin-tower façade and the dome with its lantern above the crossing.
• A 1938 replica of the icon of Our Lady of Chełm on the high altar. The original is now in the Museum of Volhynian Icons in Lutsk, Ukraine.
• A silver altar frontal from 1720–1750 showing King John Casimir paying homage after the Battle of Berestechko in 1651.
• Paintings by Franciszek Smuglewicz: "The Crucifixion" and "Saint Onuphrius".
• The bell tower, about 40 metres high, with a mausoleum of victims of Nazi and Stalinist terror on the ground floor. The largest bell, Stanisław, weighs 3,000 kg.
• Wysoka Górka next to the church, with remains of a 10th-century stronghold and Daniel's castle, topped by a mound with a cross.

Did you know?

The town takes its name from the hill: in Old Polish "chełm" meant a hill. The Rosary Garden beside the basilica preserves the old castle well, with a stone rim and a depth of 60 metres. Greek Catholic bishops are buried in crypts beneath the chancel and transept. In 2026 Our Lady of Chełm was officially proclaimed the town's patron.

Tripto tip

You can walk up the hill from the centre of Chełm; the Chalk Tunnels are about 700 metres away. Respect service times when visiting the church, and on Sundays plan your visit between Masses. The main pilgrimage festival takes place in early September. Allow about an hour for the basilica and the hill with the bell tower; the best view of the façade and towers is from the Uściług Gate.