Monastery of the Missionary Oblates and the Sanctuary of the Relics of the Tree in the Łysa Góra

Łysa Góra, Łysiec, Święty Krzyż… the place from which the mountains and the whole region got their name. An extraordinary place where history mixes with legend. An important place, not only for the local population, but also for crowds of pilgrims and tourists who have been visiting this place of power for centuries. It is finally a place whose beginnings are lost in the darkness of history.

Tradition says that the monastery has been standing on Łysa Góra since 1006. Historians say otherwise - according to them, the first church was built here in the 12th century. What the monastery looks like today shows the ups and downs of the abbey in Łysa Góra. It was not spared by the historical turmoil - the invasions of Tatars and Lithuanians in the Middle Ages, the Swedish Deluge in the 17th century, World War I and II.

But this place also had its heyday. The Benedictines living in the monastery, faithful to the ora et labora rule ("pray and work"), expanded the collection of the famous Łysa Góra library. They also ran hospitals and a pharmacy to help the local population and pilgrims. Currently, the monastery is inhabited by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

Tourists can visit a significant part of the monastery complex - the cloisters, the church, the Oleśnicki Chapel with the relics of the Holy Cross tree and the Mission Museum.

Church of the Holy Trinity

When we think of a building with such a long tradition as the abbey in Łysa Góra, the late Baroque façade and the calm, bright interior of the church certainly do not come to mind. And this is exactly the case with the church on the Holy Cross. The temple has been erected here for centuries, changing its size, shape and architectural styles. The building you are currently visiting is the result of reconstruction after the great fire that consumed the church on October 26, 1777. Therefore, the neoclassical appearance of the church should not be surprising. Pay attention to the paintings in the alcoves. The canvases by Franciszek Smuglewicz tell, among other things, the story of Saint Benedict and the tree of the Holy Cross.

Cloisters

The paths of the Benedictines rushing to the scriptorium, pharmacy or refectory met in the cloisters of Łysa Góra. Today, tourists and pilgrims wander this four-sided corridor, learning about the history of the abbey. Through the cloisters you will go to all parts of the monastery - the church, the Oleśnicki chapel, the former pharmacy and the Mission Museum. The cloisters have retained their Gothic character. In the wall from the side of the church you will see an even older, Romanesque window and fragments of walls. At the end of this wall is an altar dedicated to the deceased Benedictines.

Oleśnicki Chapel

This part of the monastery in Łysa Góra changed its destiny many times. Originally, there was a chapter house here, i.e. a meeting place for monks. In the 17th century, a chapel of the powerful Oleśnicki family, who had been associated with the abbey for centuries, was erected here. Another great change took place in 1723, when the Relics of the Holy Cross Tree were moved here from the sacristy. In this way, the mausoleum of the Oleśnicki family became the spiritual center of the Świętokrzyskie abbey. The relics stand on the main marble altar of the chapel. They are protected by an armored tabernacle decorated with, among other things, a stone from the Świętokrzyskie boulder. According to tradition, the relics found their way to the monastery in Łysa Góra, according to the frescoes on the walls of the chapel. This is a special place in the entire monastery, which will also be of interest to art history lovers. First of all, pay attention to the dome decorated with frescoes and the tombstone of the founders of the chapel on the southern wall.

The Crypt of Jeremi Wiśniowiecki

You can get to the crypt through the entrance in the southern wall outside the church. Here are the mortal remains of monks who died after 1776. The coffin with the remains of Jeremi Wiśniowiecki is in the room on the left. He rests in full noble attire. In the sarcophagus there is also a symbol of power (a mace), sabers, a metal belt and a cross. In the crypt we will find a broad description of the achievements of the prince - an excellent commander, tactician and father of the king of Poland - Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki.

Church tower with a viewpoint

Built of massive sandstone blocks, the tower fits perfectly into the architecture of the entire abbey. Tourists coming to Łysa Góra are surprised that the tower is the youngest part of the monastery complex. The original tower was blown up in October 1914 by the Austrian army. Almost 100 years after this event, the rebuilt structure was officially opened. Although no architectural plans have survived to our times, the tower was reconstructed as accurately as possible on the basis of old photos and drawings. The new part was built on the remains of the old tower, which reaches to the roof of the church. It is crowned with a stylized baroque helmet. Steep stairs lead tourists to the observation deck, which rises 35 meters above the level of the courtyard. From here, there is a panoramic view of the Jodłowa Forest and the surrounding ranges of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains.

Historical and missionary museum

The last point on the route of wandering through the monastery cloisters should be a visit to a small museum. Here you will learn more about the history of the Świętokrzyskie monastery, also in the most difficult times of World War II. You will learn how important it was for centuries. You will also learn about the activities of the Oblates who currently take care of this place. The museum occupies 3 rooms. In the first one, you will look at the activities of the Benedictine monks in Łysa Góra.

You will learn the fascinating history of "Kazan Świętokrzyskie", considered to be the oldest document written in prose in Polish. The second room commemorates the years when a hard prison was organized within the monastery walls, and during World War II, a death camp for Soviet prisoners of war. The last, extremely colorful room is the most liked by children. Souvenirs from numerous missions around the world undertaken by Polish Oblates are gathered here.