SANCTUARY OF ST. HYACINTH IN KAMIEŃ ŚLĄSKI

The Sanctuary of St. Hyacinth in Kamień Śląski is located in the chapel of the palace complex.

The site is associated with the cult of the Odrowąż family from this region who were elevated to sainthood (St. Hyacinth of Poland, Blessed Ceslaus, Blessed Bronislava), but mainly with the cult of St. Hyacinth of Poland, who was the first Polish Dominican. Born in Kamień Śląski, he later became one of the most influential figures in the Polish church of his time. After returning from Rome, he founded Poland's first Dominican monastery in Kraków. The chapel in the palace complex dates back to the 18th century, when it was established at the birthplace of St. Hyacinth. At the time, the site was cared for by the Dominicans of Opole. The interior decoration of the chapel was later commissioned by Count Karl Ludwig, who funded a richly decorated, silver-plated altar, a polished stone floor, and ordered the construction of a decorative vault and a tower. Another thorough renovation was carried out in 1857. In 1945, at the end of World War II, the chapel was looted and burned by Soviet troops; the complex was then nationalised. In the 1970s, a fire consumed the entire palace complex, completely obliterating it. It was not until the early 1990s that the complex was handed over to the Opole Diocese, thoroughly renovated, and – thanks to the commitment of such people as Archbishop Alfons Nossol – became home to the Sanctuary of St. Hyacinth. Unfortunately, due to extensive damage, the chapel could not be fully restored to its original appearance, and was equipped with a Rococo altar from the ruined palace of Siestrzechowice near Nysa. Today the site is visited by many pilgrims from home and abroad, and also serves a representative, recreational and tourist function.