Wambierzyce has been a well-known pilgrimage site for centuries. The local basilica houses a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary with Child.
The first miracle took place here around 1218. Blind Jan from nearby Ratno often sat under a linden tree where the basilica in Wambierzyce stands today, praying fervently for his sight to be restored and begging for alms. His daughter usually took him home, but one day he decided to return home alone. He hit his head on the linden tree so hard that he fell to the ground and began to scream in pain, begging God even more fervently to restore his sight. And a miracle happened! Suddenly, he saw an image of the Virgin Mary with the Child on her right hand, surrounded by light, on the linden tree - this is how the event was described by the prominent historian of the Kladsko County, Father Jozef Kögler. News of the miracle spread like wildfire throughout the area.
In gratitude for this extraordinary vision, Jan had a statue of the Virgin Mary carved. It was placed in the hollow of the old linden tree. From then on, people began to gather in front of it to pray. They came from far and wide. Another version of the story says that blind Jan prayed in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary with the Child placed in the linden tree. Then his sight returned.
The number of those seeking the miracle of healing increased. First, a stone altar was built at the foot of the old linden tree, and next to it a holy water font and a candlestick, which can now be seen in the basilica's gallery. Between 1715 and 1723, a magnificent Baroque church was built, which Pope Pius XI elevated to a minor basilica in 1936. The main altar features a statue of the Madonna and Child dating from the 14th century. It is only 28 cm tall. Since 1980, it has borne the papal crown and the title of Queen of Families of Wambierzyce. The galleries display numerous votive offerings brought by the sick as a token of gratitude for their healing.
The first miracle took place here around 1218. Blind Jan from nearby Ratno often sat under a linden tree where the basilica in Wambierzyce stands today, praying fervently for his sight to be restored and begging for alms. His daughter usually took him home, but one day he decided to return home alone. He hit his head on the linden tree so hard that he fell to the ground and began to scream in pain, begging God even more fervently to restore his sight. And a miracle happened! Suddenly, he saw an image of the Virgin Mary with the Child on her right hand, surrounded by light, on the linden tree - this is how the event was described by the prominent historian of the Kladsko County, Father Jozef Kögler. News of the miracle spread like wildfire throughout the area.
In gratitude for this extraordinary vision, Jan had a statue of the Virgin Mary carved. It was placed in the hollow of the old linden tree. From then on, people began to gather in front of it to pray. They came from far and wide. Another version of the story says that blind Jan prayed in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary with the Child placed in the linden tree. Then his sight returned.
The number of those seeking the miracle of healing increased. First, a stone altar was built at the foot of the old linden tree, and next to it a holy water font and a candlestick, which can now be seen in the basilica's gallery. Between 1715 and 1723, a magnificent Baroque church was built, which Pope Pius XI elevated to a minor basilica in 1936. The main altar features a statue of the Madonna and Child dating from the 14th century. It is only 28 cm tall. Since 1980, it has borne the papal crown and the title of Queen of Families of Wambierzyce. The galleries display numerous votive offerings brought by the sick as a token of gratitude for their healing.
