Augustinian Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Żagań

The Gothic Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary at Klasztorny Square 2 in Żagań is the heart of the former Augustinian complex: next to it stand the monastery of the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine, the monastic granary and the konwikt building. In March 2011 the President of Poland, Bronisław Komorowski, designated the whole complex a Historic Monument.

From the twelfth to the eighteenth century

According to the old chroniclers, the first church stood here as early as 1183, while the first documented mention comes from Bishop Thomas II's charter of 1272. In the second half of the fourteenth century the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine raised a three-nave basilica; after fires in 1472 and 1486 it was rebuilt as a hall church. The rebuilding of 1515 brought a new tower and a great western gable, and after the fire of 1730 the interior received rich sculptural decoration. The outer shell has kept its Gothic character, while the loggia belongs to the Renaissance.

A duke's sarcophagus and a whispering vault

In the church lies Duke Henry IV the Faithful of Głogów and Żagań in a Gothic sarcophagus; he died in Żagań on 22 January 1342. The stalls from 1695 and the sixteenth-century altar of the Holy Trinity survive, and on the gallery above the sacristy a museum display is arranged. The monastery library has survived almost intact, with a specially shaped whispering vault: standing in opposite corners of the room, people can converse in a whisper.

Practical

The complex is visited with a guide after booking by telephone in advance.