Polski
Młodzawy Małe, a quiet village lost among the picturesque Ponida hills, can amaze even the most seasoned tourists. You will find here a treasure of architecture, which is hard to find even in bigger cities.
This treasure is a temple standing on a small hill. As the historian and touring expert, Father Jan Wiśniewski, wrote about it, "A wonderful church, erected from a blow in the style of the German Renaissance, would not be ashamed to stand in a larger city; it is one of the most beautiful churches in the country."
The late Baroque temple was built in the 18th century. Its construction took almost 50 years. What will surely catch your attention is the richly decorated façade of the temple. It has two floors: the ground floor consists of three bays. The first floor, topped with a triangular gable, is enclosed in harmoniously flowing spirals. On the pedestals, sculptures of Christ and saints flaunt.
The temple is surrounded by a wall with stations of the Passion of Christ. The whole complex is complemented by a late baroque belfry. Why such an impressive temple in such a small town?
Well, as Adolf Dygasiński wrote: "What Rome is for Europe, Częstochowa for Poland, the Younger for Ponidzie". The village has become an important pilgrimage center since the 17th century. In the following centuries, the existing church ceased to be sufficient for the crowds of pilgrims coming here. All thanks to the painting of Our Lady of Sorrows, recognized in 1680 as miraculous.
You will see the image of Our Lady of Młodzawska in the main altar. The mother of Christ holds her left hand over a heart pierced by a sword. He holds the right hand on the table, on which lie the instruments of Christ's Passion.
In addition to the painting famous for its graces, pay attention to the black marble tombstone between the chapel and the chancel. It commemorates Aleksander Wielopolski. It was the imposing temple in Młodzawy, where the Wielopolski family chose in the 19th century for its ancestral necropolis.
