Bernardine Church and monastery Photo: Bernardine monastery and Church

Bernardine Church and monastery is a monastic complex in the late Gothic style, situated in Radom in the vicinity of Kazimierz. One of the best preserved monasteries in Poland. The building was built in several stages.

The history of the monastery dates back to the second half of the fourteenth century, when the Bernardine appealed to king Casimir IV Jagiellon with the request for allocation of land. The construction was appointed in 1468 and approved by the Bishop of Krakow. Initially, the Church and monastery were built of wood. Because of its location outside the city walls, the monastery was built in the shape of a fortress, around the building was erected wall, which allowed to keep the defense in case of enemy attack. The monastery was built a small brick factory where they were made all the bricks for repairs.

The monastery and the Church was rebuilt in several stages. The Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria was built in the late fifteenth century. In 1911-1912, the Church was slightly expanded by architect Stephen Stillerom.

In the interior of the Church deserves special attention the main altar, decorated with wooden image of St. John the Evangelist, Mother of God and Christ. It is possible that the sculptures were created in the workshop of Veit Stoss. The altar in Rococo style was created in the second half of the eighteenth century. Inside the Church you can see many of the epitaphs and tombstones of different eras.

The Church and monastery at different times visited many Polish kings and famous people. After the January uprising, the monastery was turned into a prison for the rebels. The Bernardine returned to the city in 1936.

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