Description of the attraction
The Gothic Church of the Holy Corpus Christi, built by the Knights Hospitallers in the second half of the 13th century, has one feature: it never had a bell tower, and this distinguishes it from other city churches. The absence of a tower is explained by the beliefs of the founders of the church: the bell tower has always been the dominant symbol and demonstration of the wealth of the church. The Johnites, on the other hand, adhered to vows of poverty and did not seek to emphasize the well-being of the order.
Hospitallers appeared in Lower Silesia in the 12th century. They purchased a plot of land near Wroclaw, on which they built their own church, named in honor of the Holy Body of Christ. The first mention of this church we meet in 1320, and in 1351 it is spoken of as a hospital church of the Johannites.
The modern Gothic temple, built of red brick, dates back to the first half of the 15th century. In those days, the Church of the Holy Body of Christ was located at the wall surrounding the city. The church was often used by the defenders of the city as an important defensive point.
In subsequent years, the church was reconstructed several times. In 1700, its interior acquired baroque features. During the Seven Years War, it housed a grain warehouse; during the Napoleonic Wars, it was turned into a hospital.
In 1810 the renovation of the church cost the city 6 thousand thalers, but the believers did not enjoy the resumption of services for a long time. Three years later, the church housed a military headquarters and a hospital for wounded soldiers.
In 1945, about 75% of the church was destroyed by bombing. Only in 1955-1962 they began to restore it. Now the doors of the church are open to all parishioners and guests of the city.
