Sanctuary and Monastery of the reformers in Pińczów

Separated from the hustle and bustle of the town, the area in front of the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary encourages rest, silence and contemplation. Here, time seems to slow down and the trip takes on a truly Italian atmosphere.

Here is a late Renaissance church with adjoining wings of the monastery buildings of the Reformed Fathers. The history of this facility is quite complicated. Initially, a collegiate church was to be built here, but Margrave Zygmunt Myszkowski decided that the Reformed Franciscan Observants, called the Reformats, would be brought here from Rome. The Bernardine Fathers did not like this. As a result of their actions, the Reformers settled in Moravia, and the church in Mir was to become a collegiate church again. It was not until the end of the 17th century that the Reformers were brought here again, for whom a monastery was founded. The Reformed Fathers live in the walls of the monastery in Mir to this day.

In the silhouette of the church, attention is drawn to 2 square chapels with small dome sizes. It is also worth paying attention to the west facade with a richly decorated window. You will also find the Jastrzębiec coat of arms belonging to the founders of the temple. The interior does not overwhelm with the number of decorative elements. In the side altar you will find a miraculous painting of Our Lady of Mirów. How did this painting end up in Pińczów? We do not know for sure.

It is possible that it was created in the Krakow workshop of the famous painter Tomasz Dolabella. However, the thesis that the painting was purchased in Rome by Margrave Zygmunt Myszkowski himself is not ruled out. It is worth knowing that behind the main altar there is a monastic oratory - a place where monks pray in concentration during services, away from the gaze of the assembled faithful.