Sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians Oświęcim

The Sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians in Oświęcim is a historic church with a monastery, located at 8 Jagiełły Street in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. Originally Gothic, the church was founded in the 14th century by the Dukes of Cieszyn for the Dominicans. In 1594, the former chapter house was converted into the Chapel of St. Hyacinth, which remains the only surviving part of the original monastery. After the order was dissolved in 1782, the building fell into ruin, and in 1898 it was taken over by the Salesians, who gave it a Neo-Gothic character and placed in it a copy of the image of Mary Help of Christians from Turin. Inside, visitors can see a spacious nave with galleries, the main altar with sculptures of Salesian saints, stained glass windows, and furnishings styled after Neo-Gothic designs. In the crypt of St. Hyacinth's Chapel rest the ashes of Oświęcim princes and castellans. The sanctuary is open all year round and is surrounded by green areas. It is an important site for pilgrims and history enthusiasts, as well as a stop on cycling routes along the Soła Valley.