The renovated temple dominates the cityscape.

History

The Dominican monastery in Oświęcim and the adjacent Church of the Holy Cross were founded by Prince Władysław (1313-1326), however, the original complex did not survive. It was burnt by the Hussites, then rebuilt but never returned to its former glory. It was damaged again during the Polish-Swedish War. The final blow to the property came form the Austrian monarch, Joseph II, who liquidated the Dominican monastery. The bells and organs were sold to other churches, the marble tombstones were removed by local stonemasons, the library and the archives were confined to a storage in a paper mill. In 1845 the roof was pulled down; the chancel vault collapsed soon after. In 1872 the chancel area was used as a kerosene storage, and the Chapel of St Hyacynth was turned into a bones and rags stock. In 1894 the Rev. Andrzej Knycz, a parish priest from Oświęcim, made an attempt to save the former place of worship. The alleged revelation of the Virgin Mary in the ruins of the complex generated people’s interest. Their donations helped restore the chapel. The Rev. Knycz bought the remaining Dominican property. He invited the Salesians of Don Bosco to cooperate on the revival of the site. In 1898 the first concept a Salesian educational establishment in Oświęcim was proposed. The following year the Salesian school admitted first pupils, and in 1900 the cornerstone of the future educational institution was consecrated. In 1901 Cardinal Jan Puzyna consecrated the school building. Even Pope Leo XIII sent his blessing in a telegram. In 1908, the educational authorities granted the Salesian Institute in Oświęcim state rights. The courses teaching crafts, e.g. smithery, dressmaking, carpentry, or shoemaking, were particularly in great demand. On 13 September 1944, the Allied bombs damaged the Salesians’ house during an air raid on Oświęcim. The reconstruction began after the warfare had finished. In the post-war years, educational activity was resumed, however it was impeded by the communist authorities who refused to tolerate the Catholic character of the school. However, the school managed to endure.

Description

The church reconstruction project continued until 1905. The temple was renovated and rebuilt according to the design by Mario Ceradini from Turin (e.g. installation of a new door caused the conversion of the former Dominican chancel into the vestibule of the new temple) and fitted with sculptures of Prof. Minghetti, imported from Italy. In 1907 the side altars were consecrated: of St Joseph, of St Francis de Sales, of St Barbara and the Divine Heart, of the Passion of Christ, of St Anthony, of the Guardian Angel, and of St Stanislaus Kostka. The Oświęcim painter Jan Stankiewicz made wall paintings at the same time. He also painted the image of Our Lady of Help, a copy of the miraculous painting from Turin. The building of the school, erected on a hill gently inclined towards the Soła River, was a modern building in its time and met all requirements in terms of hygiene and teaching conditions.

Opening hours: the site is accessible upon prior approval of religious superiors; the office of the Salesian school is open from: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00

Author of the note Roman Marcinek, Regional Branch of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage in Kraków 1 X 2014

Bibliography

• Heck R., Archiwa miejskie Księstw Oświęcimia i Zatora, Kraków 1891
• Kornecki M., Zabytki regionu oświęcimskiego, ich wartość i niektóre problemy ochrony, Kraków 1971
• Kurzeja J., Rozwój średniowiecznej sieci parafialnej w dekanacie Oświęcim, Roczniki Humanist., vol. 27: 1979, vol. 2, pp. 15-37.
• Salezjański biuletyn „Casa Madre”