Churches & monasteries

St. Anne’s Wooden Church in Olesno

The Pilgrimage Church of St Anne in Olesno, known as the “Olesno rose turned into wood”, is one of Opole Silesia’s most unusual monuments. On Gorzowska Street, about 1.5 km from the centre, stands a pilgrimage church whose plan resembles a five-petalled rose. It is a Monument of History on the region’s wooden sacred architecture trail.

From chapel to shrine

The site is linked to a legend about Anna, rescued from robbers through the intercession of St Anne. A small chapel was supposedly built here in 1444 around a “miraculous pine”, whose trunk is still associated with the main altar. A larger church followed in 1518, and a star-shaped section with five chapels was added in 1669–1670.

The wooden rose and its furnishings

Five chapels linked by a passage create a rose-like plan referring to Olesno’s coat of arms and former name Rosenberg. Inside are 17th- and 18th-century altars, a late-Gothic figure of St Anne Selbdritt and the preserved pine trunk beside the main altar. The original “Great Holy Family” triptych was stolen in 1994; the church now displays a copy.

Visiting and practical information

This is an active shrine, so access depends on services and parish arrangements. Diocesan information lists seasonal Sunday opening from 12:30 to 18:00 and mass at 12:30; check before travelling. For access outside services, contact the parish at 34 358 27 10. The address is 72–76 Gorzowska Street towards Wieluń. Entry is free.