Święta Lipka (Swieta Lipka), Poland

Święta Lipka (Swieta Lipka) highlights

Known for catholic basilica, catholic pilgrimage center

Święta Lipka, in English Holy Linden, is a small village northeastern Poland. Święta Lipka is known for the pilgrimage sanctuary and Roman Catholic basilica, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture, and its moving pipe organ, one of the finest and most unique church instrument ever made.

Other places in Poland that we are familiar with

Malbork - Known for castle, museum, park; castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Reszel - Known for castle, historical center, museum

Warsaw - Known for historical center, museum, catholic cathedral

Last reviewed: 14 May 2020

Święta Lipka (Swieta Lipka) description

Święta Lipka Sanctuary serves as a pilgrimage site and a holy shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Built during the late 17th century, the basilica is one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in Poland and in the world. It is also famous for its moving pipe organ, possibly the finest church instrument ever constructed.

The cult was cultivated by locals since the 1300s, when a petty criminal carved a figurine of Mary in the nearby Kętrzyn prison following a Marian apparition. He was then unexpectedly released and en route to Reszel he placed the figurine on a linden tree as a sign of gratitude. The object was said to work wonders and had healing properties. Albert, Duke of Prussia, visited the sacred place while pilgrimaging barefoot from Königsberg in 1519. This tradition was also previously observed by the Teutonic Knights.

The medieval shrine was destroyed during the Protestant Reformation in around 1524 and gallows were placed in the same spot to scare off the Catholic worshipers. Almost a century later it was rebuilt by the personal secretary of king Sigismund III, who purchased the land where the missing figurine once stood. A painting of Mary with Baby Jesus by a Belgian master painter Bartholomew Pens from Elbing replaced the lost relic. During the Swedish Deluge, many of the priceless items from the chapel's treasury were hidden and survived the turmoil.

To this day, the pilgrimage route from the town of Reszel to Święta Lipka is aligned with small Baroque shrines and linden trees, dating back to the 18th century.

The church and convent were founded by the Society of Jesus and construction was initiated by Polish Cardinal Michał Stefan Radziejowski in 1688. The temple's consecration occurred on 15 August 1693. Due to the large number of arriving pilgrims, the facility was significantly enlarged over the years and a fortified cloister with domed tower-like chapels was completed in 1708, giving the overall structure a defensive appearance. The elaborate interior took over 50 years to be entirely finished and furnished. The church was further embellished with decoration through donations made by wealthy notables or pious monarchs.

The Jesuits were eventually removed from the Święta Lipka monastery by the Prussians after the Partitions of Poland in the 18th century. They returned to the convent in 1932. After World War II Święta Lipka was transformed into an important sanctuary.

The monumental altar in the basilica of Święta Lipka was made between 1712 and 1714 by the finest sculptors present in Poland at the time. The object, composed of three main parts or storeys, is adorned by the gilded figures of saints and martyrs.

The most distinctive attribute and a treasure of the sanctuary is the moving pipe organ, erected in the years 1719-1721 by Johann Josua Mosengel. The decorative figures and sculptures move as the organ is being played, making it one of the most unique instruments ever made.

Święta Lipka (Swieta Lipka) related tours

We at Monterrasol Travel welcome you to see Święta Lipka (Swieta Lipka) during multi-day private car tour. Contact us if you would like to customize your tour to Święta Lipka (Swieta Lipka).

We have developed several private tours that visiting beautiful Święta Lipka (Swieta Lipka). But, if you have a special conditions or any from these tours fit you, please do not hesitate to contact us, we can organize a tour exactly as you would like. We charge nothing for develop a custom itinerary. And remember, we have no problems to take you from almost any place where you stay, hotel or private accommodation.

All seasons Baltic tour 21 days from Warsaw. UNESCO medieval towns and Teutonic Knights castles. Discovery tour across Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and north of Poland. all seasons tour 21 days Price from € 6,866 View tour details Request this tour tour starts in: Warsaw, Poland tour finishes in: Warsaw, Poland tour duration: 21 days (20 nights) tour countries: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland tour destinations: Augustów, Gdańsk, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Kwidzyn, Liepāja, Malbork, Olsztyn, Ostroda, Pärnu, Reszel, Riga, Sopot, Sztum, Tallinn, Tartu, Trakai, Ventspils, Vilnius, Święta Lipka Discover Baltic in 21 days all seasons tour from Warsaw. Open to yourself three Baltic countries Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and north of Poland. Visit UNESCO Teutonic Knights castles and medieval European towns. We will start this tour in Warsaw, Poland and visit Augustow on the north of Poland, well known town for relaxing vacations. After that we going to Lithuania, where in Kaunas we need to see a medieval fortress with historical exhibitions and located in old town Kaunas Cathedral Basilica; continue with Lithuania, we will walk in Klaipeda castle. After we move to Latvia to see historical center of two coastal towns Liepaja and Ventspils, and old town of Latvia's capital Riga (UNESCO site). Next we will move to third Baltic country, Estonia, and first place there is historic center of town Parnu and Estonia's capital Tallinn (UNESCO site). We will visit also the cafe-filled Town Hall Square of Tartu, the town famous with 17th century University. On the way back, again in Lithuania, we will meet the country's capital, Vilnius (UNESCO site) and walk the paths of Trakai castle, located on small peninsula in lake. As we return back to Poland, we will visit small village Swieta Lipka, famous church there have unique still active working organ. We will see medieval castles in Reszel, Olsztyn, Ostroda, and finally walk the streets of Malbork castle, the UNESCO site founded in the 13th century by the Knights of the Teutonic Order. Before we return to Warsaw, we will visit also coastal towns Gdansk and Sopot, and take a look on smaller castles in towns Sztum and Kwidzyn.