Church of St. Jacob in Sandomierz

The church stands a bit off the beaten track, away from the bustling market square. The very sight of the building surrounded by vines on the sunny Świetojakubskie hill invites you to contemplate the almost 800-year history of one of the oldest Polish brick churches.

The Dominicans were brought to Sandomierz by Bishop Iwo Odrowąż. The Sandomierz Foundation was the second - after Kraków - Dominican establishment in Poland. According to the legend, Jacek Odrowąż, the bishop's nephew, was supposed to complete the construction on behalf of his uncle. The first problem arose with the acquisition of land for the church and monastery. No amount of money could convince the then owner of St. Jacob's Hill, a man from Sandomierz named Konrad, to sell the land.

Finally, a bet was made: Konrad was to give the hill for free if Jacek planted the lime trees upside down and they sprouted roots. As you can probably guess, the bishop's nephew performed a miracle. Linden trees bloomed, and soon the Dominicans could enjoy their new home. The impressive lime trees, which still grow by the church, are called Saint Hyacinth limes.

The preserved wing of the Dominican monastery adjoins the church from the south. The entrance to the temple leads through a late Romanesque brick portal. Stop here for longer - pay attention to the richness of decorative motifs and the idea of ​​medieval builders to create a three-dimensional decoration of the entrance. Inside the church, your attention will certainly be drawn to the space that surrounds you in this three-nave basilica. In the part for the clergy (presbytery) a baroque vault stands out.

Attention is also drawn to the massive wooden sarcophagus of Princess Adelaide and paintings from the end of the 16th century. During the last renovation of the church, the level of the original church floor was exposed. At one of the pillars of the southern aisle you will find stone slabs decorated by medieval artists. Chapels were added to the naves of medieval origin in later centuries. Thus, the domed Chapel of the Sandomierz Martyrs adjoins the northern aisle, and the chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary and the chapel of Saint Hyacinth adjoins the southern aisle. An interesting fact here is the painting of Our Lady of the Guide. Mary's dress is decorated with plates of tourist guides from all over Poland.