Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels in Dąbrowa Górnicza

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels at Królowej Jadwigi 12 in Dąbrowa Górnicza is a Neo-Gothic church with three towers in its façade, and also a shrine of the Sosnowiec diocese. The main tower is 86 metres high and dominates the city's skyline. The altar holds a venerated statue of Our Lady of the Angels.

How the church came to be

The parish was established in 1891. The first church, dedicated to St Alexander, was built in 1875-1877 of brick to a design by Julian Polcer. It soon proved too small. The authorities did not agree to a second church in the upper part of Dąbrowa, so it was decided to extend the existing one.

The foundation stone was laid on 2 August 1898, and construction lasted until 1912. The design was prepared by Józef Stefan Pomian-Pomianowski in the Neo-Gothic style, as a three-aisled hall with two transepts. The builder was the Reverend Prelate Grzegorz Augustynik, and Bishop Augustyn Łosiński consecrated the church on 29 September 1912. Dąbrowa's workers contributed to the construction: for several years their employers deducted a contribution for this purpose from their pay. The old church now adjoins the north aisle and serves as the Chapel of St Alexander.

The building is 68 metres long, 30 metres wide and 30 metres high inside.

The title of basilica and the statue of Our Lady

Pope Leo XIII granted the church the dignity of a basilica on 19 March 1901. According to the description, it was the first shrine in Poland with this title. The statue of Our Lady of the Angels, 170 centimetres high, was carved in 1904 by Józef Baltazar Proszowski of Częstochowa. Mary was proclaimed patron of Dąbrowa Górnicza and Mother of the Basin on 2 August 1957, and the statue was crowned on 19 May 1968. The coronation was performed by Primate Stefan Wyszyński and the Metropolitan of Kraków, Karol Wojtyła.

The interior and the tower

The interior has an almost entirely uniform Neo-Gothic furnishing: the altars, pulpit and confessionals have architectural forms. The walls and vaults are covered with Art Deco painted decoration from 1927-1929, the work of Michał Kowal and Jan Nyga the Elder.

The main tower has several further levels: a viewing platform with balconies, a platform with the clock mechanism and a bell chamber. The bell named Stefan has survived, and beside it hang bells cast in 1947. Whether and when the tower can be climbed is decided by the parish.

Nearby

The Basin Palace of Culture is about 400 metres from here.

Close by are also the Synagogue in Dąbrowa Górnicza and the “Sztygarka” City Museum.

Practical information

• Address: Królowej Jadwigi 12, Dąbrowa Górnicza.
• The church is listed in the heritage register. Register dating: 1898-1912, Neo-Gothic style, brick.
• It is an active shrine. Check with the parish (website nmpanielska.pl) before your visit for opening hours and whether sightseeing is possible.