Nowa Słupia, świętokrzyskie
Klasztor na Świętym Krzyżu
A former Benedictine abbey on the summit of Łysa Góra, with the Basilica of the Holy Trinity and Poland's oldest sanctuary of the relics of the Wood of the Holy Cross.
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Klasztor na Świętym Krzyżu
The Holy Cross Monastery stands on the summit of Łysa Góra in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains. The Benedictine abbey and its Romanesque church were founded between 1102 and 1138 by Bolesław Wrymouth. Its fame came from the relics of the Wood of the Holy Cross, given to the monks in the early 14th century by Władysław the Elbow-high. Both the mountain and the abbey took their name from them, and kings came here on pilgrimage: Władysław Jagiełło seven times, Casimir IV Jagiellon ten.
After the fire of 1777 the present baroque-classicist church was built; it was consecrated in 1806 and became a minor basilica in 2013. The Gothic cloisters of the 15th century and the baroque Oleśnicki Chapel with the relics survived. After the dissolution of 1819 the walls housed a prison, and during the Second World War a German camp for Soviet prisoners of war. Since 1936 the monastery has been run by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
Visitors pass through the gatehouse, the cloisters, the basilica, the chapels, the sacristy, the Historical and Missionary Museum and the crypts, including the crypt with the presumed remains of Prince Jeremi Wiśniowiecki. In 2017 the former abbey complex was declared a Historic Monument of Poland. The monastery remains a living religious community.
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Visitor season
May 1 – October 31
- Monday
- 09:00–17:00
- Tuesday
- 09:00–17:00
- Wednesday
- 09:00–17:00
- Thursday
- 09:00–17:00
- Friday
- 09:00–17:00
- Saturday
- 09:00–18:00
- Sunday
- 09:00–18:00
Winter season
November 1 – April 30
- Monday
- 09:00–17:00
- Tuesday
- 09:00–17:00
- Wednesday
- 09:00–17:00
- Thursday
- 09:00–17:00
- Friday
- 09:00–17:00
- Saturday
- 09:00–17:00
- Sunday
- 09:00–17:00
From 1 May to 31 October, all visitor attractions are open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00 and on Saturdays and Sundays from 09:00 to 18:00. During winter, from November to the end of April, the attractions are open daily from 09:00 to 17:00. The monastery itself closes at around 20:00 during the May to October season and at around 18:30 in winter. Entry to the crypt and the viewing tower must be planned before the visitor attractions close. Tours with a monastery guide are available on prior telephone booking.
Image generated or substantially modified by AI.Indoor routeThrough the Holy Cross MonasteryFrom the founding of the abbey through the gatehouse, the cloisters and the basilica to the relics and the Wiśniowiecki crypt.Start the walk
Address
Święty Krzyż 126-006 Nowa Słupia
The monastery stands on the summit of Łysa Góra in the Świętokrzyski National Park. The Royal Road, about 3 km long, leads up to the summit from Nowa Słupia.
Location
The monastery stands on the summit of Łysa Góra, and part of the visit leads into underground crypts. Accessibility details are best confirmed by phone before the visit.