A Gothic hall church from the first half of the 14th century with the Olkusz Polyptych of 1485 and a Renaissance organ, a minor basilica since 2002.
The Collegiate Basilica of St Andrew the Apostle in Olkusz is a Gothic brick hall church from the first half of the 14th century. The parish church stands on Szpitalna Street, right next to the market square. Since 2001 it has been the seat of the Olkusz Collegiate Chapter, and since 2002 it has held the title of minor basilica.
The town parish church was built on the site of an earlier church thanks to a foundation by Casimir the Great. The church has three naves, five bays and an elongated chancel with a flat east end. In the 15th century the St Anne's Chapel, the sacristy and the treasury were added, in 1612 the porch, and in 1620 the Mannerist Amenda (Loreto) Chapel, funded by the wealthy miner Stanisław Amenda. In 1864 the bell tower and part of the church burned down. A new, neo-Gothic bell tower was built in 1903-1913 to a design by Sławomir Odrzywolski.
The oldest monument in the interior is the Gothic Olkusz Polyptych of 1485 in the north aisle. The five-part altarpiece has sixteen paintings with scenes from the lives of Mary and Christ on its four wings, and in the centre a sculpture of the Madonna and Child from around 1480. It was painted by the Kraków painters Jan Wielki and Stanisław Stary. The Renaissance organ by Hans Hummel from 1611-1624 is counted among the oldest in Europe preserved in a state close to the original. There are also 16th-century choir stalls, a pulpit from 1639 and the Miners' Cross, a gift from Olkusz miners in the 17th century.
The organ is the backdrop to festivals: in October the International Olkusz Days of Organ and Chamber Music concerts take place here, and in July the Summer Organ Festival. Check the programme dates before you arrive.
Be the first! Add a comment.
You need to log in to add a comment.
Log in