Kielce Cathedral in Poland
by Brian Tarr
Title
Kielce Cathedral in Poland
Artist
Brian Tarr
Medium
Photograph - Photo Art
Description
This is one of the most beautiful cathedrals I have ever visited. It is in Kielce in Poland and I was invited there for a wedding.
It is located in the centre of the region’s capital, particularly famous for its age-old history and artistic craftsmanship
The immense building is located on the St. Virgin Mary’s Square on the Castle Hill in Kielce.
Firstly, it had been a small Romanesque collegiate church of the St. Virgin Mary’s Assumption, erected in 1171 by the Cracow bishop Gedeon (Gedko). It was built on a hill where the old city of Kielce had been located (280 above the sea level). The building was modelled on a fortress with two watchtowers and is entirely made of dressed stone. A collegiate chapter and a parish (moved from the St. Adalbert’s Church) were established together with the temple. The collegiate was erected in the place of its present central nave. Due to several rebuilding processes (1514-1522): adding of a vestry, a chapter-house, and a chancel, the building lost its initial form. Later on, bishop Myszkowski extended the structure to the west, while bishop Jan Albrecht, the son of king Zygmunt III (Sigismund III Vasa), ornamented its entrance with a marble portal. The collegiate church was again rebuilt in the early 17th C. and then, after 1719, when the towers were pulled down and instead a chapel was added. These changes gave it an early-Baroque character of a three-aisle basilica, based on a rectangular plan. The sanctuary was consecrated in 1728 by the Cracow bishop Konstanty Szaniawski. Between 1807 and 1818 it became a cathedral. It was renovated in the late 19th C. In 1883 it regained the status of a cathedral church. In 1914, after a restoration and another renovation, the church was again consecrated by bishop Augustyn Łosiński. In 1970, on its 800th anniversary, it has been uplifted to the rank of a minor basilica, which has been commemorated with a memorial board, placed on its western wall. The most recent part of the building is now plastered. After WWII its roof has been covered with copperplate.
A Gothic triptych, depicting the coronation of the Virgin Mary and the figures of St. Stanislaus and St. Adalbert (a polychromy from 1898), a galenic relief of the Virgin Mary, and a baroque main altar designed by Fontana – these are the unique symbols characterising the collegiate. Inside one can find a picture of the Kielce Generous Virgin Mary with a Child. The tourists are also allowed to see the cathedral’s treasure-house and the underground tombs of the bishops.
All roads (from the centre of Kielce) lead to the cathedral
Uploaded
December 3rd, 2016
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Comments (21)
Mary Ann Weger
Congratulations! The Fine Art America group “Cards and Posters - Inspirational Text Welcome” has featured your extraordinary image on our Home Page! To further promote your work to Art Collectors, you are invited to copy and paste any of your images into a variety of popular categories on the group’s Discussion Page. URL: https://fineartamerica.com/groups/cards-and-posters--inspirational-text-welcome.html?tab=discussions
Vladimir Kholostykh
The most beautiful capture of the most beautiful Cathedrals! I visited the place many year ago but my snaps a did were non as brilliant as yours. You are a great master, Brian!
HH Photography of Florida
What a grand and beautiful cathedral, Brian. Wonderfully presented. l/fv/tw
Barbara Zahno
Your images are stunning and captivating like your entire gallery, Brian, I will be back! l/f/t/
Kathi Mirto
What an amazing history, Brian, I don't think anyone else could have given it the justice it deserves as you have in this portrait! Awe inspiring . . . FL
Eleanor Abramson
What a beautiful church! Your processing is exquisite-it brings out every detail. l/f/twt
Bob Lentz
Congratulations! on this unique image’s being Featured in “The Artistic Aperture” group, and also Liked, Favorited, and Facebooked.
Linda Lees
Wonderful image of this magnificent church, you've captured its intricate detail beautifully. Great shot and processing Brian!