Churches & monasteries

St Michael the Archangel Cathedral in Łomża

St Michael the Archangel Cathedral in Łomża is a late-Gothic church and a shrine of Our Lady of Beautiful Love. It stands on a hill above the Narew valley, near the site of the former castle, and is one of the city’s most important landmarks. It suits visitors who want to combine a quiet church visit with the history of Masovia and a walk through Łomża.

History and architecture

The present masonry church was begun in the first half of the 16th century with the involvement of the Masovian dukes Janusz and Stanisław and their mother Anna. After its consecration and later enlargement, it took the form of a late-Gothic pseudo-basilica. The presbytery vaults may, according to one scholarly hypothesis, preserve parts of an earlier castle chapel of the Masovian dukes. This remains an interpretation rather than a confirmed fact.

Our Lady of Beautiful Love

The central object of devotion is the image of Our Lady of Beautiful Love, also known as the Łomża Madonna. Inside, look for the late-Gothic vaults, altars, furnishings in the presbytery and details of the historic church. Its combined parish and shrine functions make the cathedral both a place of prayer and an important part of the city’s artistic heritage.

Visiting and surroundings

Entry to the church is free, but sightseeing takes place outside services. Check parish notices before visiting, keep silent inside and do not use parish-office hours as a sightseeing timetable. Combine the cathedral with the Old Market Square, the former hillfort and the riverside areas by the Narew.