POLSKA | POLAND |
województwo: Dolnośląskie | voivodship: Lower Silesia |
powiat: Kłodzko | county: Kłodzko |
Wambierzyce (Albendorf), the 'Silesian Jerusalem', is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in southern Poland. The village is situated at an elevation of 370–410 m in the picturesque Cedron valley at the eastern slopes of Góry Stołowe (Heuscheuergebirge) mountains. The place was first mentioned in 1330 Alberndorf, 1398 Alberdorf, 1418 Alberti villa, 1560 Alberichsdorf, which then evolved into the (German) name Albendorf. Czech pilgrims from Bohemia and Moravia called the place Vambeřice. When Lower Silesia became part of Poland in 1945/1946 the Polish name Wambierzyce became the official name of the village. Today Wambierzyce is part of the municipality of Radków (Wünschelburg).
The wooden statue of Our Lady, dating from the 13th century, was originally placed in a mighty linden tree located at this site. According to the legend a blind man regained his eyesight after praying before the statue. After that miracle a stone altar was erected in front of the tree. The first wooden chapel was built in 1263. A larger church was built in 1512 but was destroyed during the Thirty Years' War.
The present
(see also list of other basilicae minores depicted on glasses of this collection)