"Thy Will Be Done" Wayside Shrine in Pszczyna

The "Thy Will Be Done" shrine stands in the south-western corner of the park in Pszczyna, at the junction of Wojska Polskiego and Żorska streets, at the fork of the old trade routes leading from Pszczyna to the west and south.

What the shrine looks like

It is a brick, plastered pillar shrine covered with a tiled roof, probably from the 18th century. Paintings are set in the panels of the four walls: originally they were folk oil paintings on wood from the 18th or 19th century, showing among other subjects Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane and the Madonna and Child. In the 20th century the originals went to the stores of the Castle Museum, and paintings on canvas were hung in their place. In 2013 these were replaced by oil copies by Jan Gałaszka.

Origin of the name

The dedication of the shrine is linked with the flight of Henry of Valois from Kraków. After the death of the King of France, Charles IX, Valois left Poland by way of Pszczyna, Vienna, Venice and Turin, to take the French throne as Henry III. According to popular legends, it was here that on 19 June 1574 he was overtaken by the Crown Chamberlain, Jan Tęczyński, who begged him to return to Wawel. The king is said to have replied: "Thy will be done." This is a legend, not a confirmed record.

Nearby

The shrine lies by the park, and a few hundred metres further on stands Pszczyna Castle. Next to the park entrance it is worth seeing the European Bison Show Reserve.

Practical information

• Location: Pszczyna park, corner of Wojska Polskiego and Żorska streets.
• The shrine stands by the road and can be viewed from the outside at any time.