St Leonard's Church in Lubiń

The walls of St Leonard's Church in Lubiń tell its story better than any information board: the lower sections of dressed granite blocks belong to a Romanesque church from the early 13th century, and above them begins the red brick of a Gothic rebuild. The small church stands in the shadow of the Benedictine abbey, and St Leonard of Limoges, patron saint of prisoners, has been venerated here without a break since the 13th century.

Romanesque stone, Gothic brick

The original church, founded by the local Benedictine monastery, was small: a square chancel ending in a semicircular apse adjoined the nave. Its walls were built of dressed granite. In 1549–1556, on the initiative of Abbot Paweł Chojnacki, the church was remodelled in Gothic style: the existing building was raised and a new nave was added to the west.

The Gothic sections were built of brick, and details such as the eaves frieze, window surrounds, portal, chancel and apse arches and the frames of the sedilia were made of moulded ceramic pieces. The Mannerist western gable dates from the late 16th or early 17th century. The eastern gable of the raised chancel combines Gothic and Renaissance features.

What to look for

• The line between eras – the change from Romanesque granite to Gothic brick is clearest by the apse.
• The semicircular apse with stone walls, typical of Romanesque architecture.
• The groin vault in the chancel from the first half of the 13th century, while the nave has flat ceilings.
• The Mannerist western gable, the most decorative part of the building.

The cult of St Leonard

From the 13th to the 19th century this was the parish church; today it is a chapel of ease of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary parish in Lubiń. The Confraternity of St Leonard has been active here since 1823. Every Monday at 18:00 a Mass is held with a novena to the patron of those imprisoned in body or spirit, and the church's patronal festival falls on the second Sunday of November. The church, together with its wall, gate and cemetery, is listed on the heritage register.

Tripto tip

Walk all the way around the church before going in, as the change of material in the walls is its greatest curiosity. On Monday evenings do not plan sightseeing or photography during the service. If you want to see the interior outside services, contact the parish in advance. Half an hour is enough for the church, and it is easy to combine with a visit to the Benedictine abbey in the same village.