Description of the attraction
An unusual two-storey church of the Holy Cross and St. Bartholomew, decorated with two towers, was built in the Silesian Gothic style. For a long time it was considered a model for the construction of churches in other cities of Lower Silesia. The strangeness of this structure lies in the fact that one building is divided by two churches. The first floor houses the Church of St. Bartholomew, and the second - the Church of the Holy Cross.
The construction of this church was completed in 1350. According to local legends, the temple was erected by order of Prince Henry IV Probus, who in the distant XIII century understood the need to unite the Silesian regions, conquered Krakow and would have become one of the most powerful and wisest rulers of Poland if he had not died under mysterious circumstances at the age of 33. Then there were rumors that his eternal rival, the bishop of Wroclaw, Thomas II, helped him to leave the world. For a long time, the locals believed that the prince and the bishop had reconciled. Ordinary people believed that in honor of this significant event, the construction of the church of St. Bartholomew began. When the workers were laying the foundation, they found a root in the shape of a cross. Rumors immediately began to spread that this was a sign from above, so the future temple should be named in honor of the Holy Cross. In order not to disappoint the faithful, the church was divided in a brotherly manner, allocating one floor for the Church of St. Bartholomew, and the second for the Church of the Holy Cross.
Local historians of Wroclaw are sure that this church was supposed to become the mausoleum of Guernik IV. His tombstone was indeed placed here, which is now on display at the National Museum.
The temple is active, therefore it is open for visits.
