Kielce Cathedral

The Cathedral Basilica is one of the most valuable monuments in the city and the important center of a religious cult. The painting of the Merciful Mother of God, famous for its graces and crowned by the Pope John Paul II, can be found inside.

The beginnings of the basilica date back to medieval times, when the Romanesque church was standing on the hill. Remains of the oldest building can be seen in the present shape of the basilica. Because of the damage and fires, the basilica experienced throughout the years, it needed to undergo the reconstruction. The final shape was achieved in the 18th century when chapels where added. In 1805 Kielce collegiate received the status of Cathedral. The basilica has three naves, elongated shape, and semicircularly closed presbytery. It was made of stone ashlar and brick.

The interior, like the facades, was built in early baroque style. The most important monuments in the church are the baroque altar with the painting of Assumption of Mary, and side altar with considered as a miraculous painting of the Merciful Mother of God placed at the end of the south nave. The symbolic grave of Wojciech Bartosz Głowacki, who died during the Kościuszko Uprising in the battle of Szczekociny, is also located there.