Jasna Gora Monastery and the Image of Black Madonna of Czestochowa

Home to the sacred icon of ‘Our Lady of Częstochowa’, the Monastery of Jasna Góra is the third-largest Catholic pilgrimage site in the world and the center of Polish Catholicism. Offering scenic views over the monastery complex, the 106-meter bell tower is the tallest historic church tower in Poland.

The Image of Our Lady Black Madonna of Czestochowa, also known as the Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, having dimnsion of 121,8 x 81,3 cm,. depicts Blessed Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus on Her left hand. The image represents monumental and dignified iconographic structure of a Bizantine Hodigitria, the one who points the way to salvation. She is a Guide, leading the entire humanity to Jesus Christ.

According to the legendary tradition included in the narratives, the image was supposed to be taken form Ruthenia by Polish Prince Ladislaus of Opole. After he funded the Jasna Góra Monastery in 1382, he entrusted the Icon to the care of the sixteen Pauline monks, who arrived from Hungary.

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The Image of Our Lady of Jasna Gora

The Image of Our Lady of Jasna Gora, also known as the Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, having dimnsion of 121,8 x 81,3 cm,. depicts Blessed Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus on Her left hand. The image represents monumental and dignified iconographic structure of a Bizantine Hodigitria, the one who points the way to salvation. She is a Guide, leading the entire humanity to Jesus Christ.

According to the legendary tradition included in the narratives, the image was supposed to be taken form Ruthenia by Polish Prince Ladislaus of Opole. After he funded the Jasna Gora Monastery in 1382, he entrusted the Icon to the care of the sixteen Pauline monks, who arrived from Hungary.

The Image was created most likely in the second half of the XIII century as the Balkan Icon. It was painted with tempera on a canvas, which was attached to the surface of the three lime tree boards, with nimbi carved in them around the heads of the figures.

In the years 1430-1434, the icon was the subject of an extensive renovation in Krakow in the court of the King Ladislaus Jagiello.

It took place after the robbery and assault on Jasna Gora, which eas most likely committed by the Hussite Iconoclasts from Bohemia. At that time, the fill in one of the painting has been completed as well as some formal transformations, which gave the image characteristics of gothic art.

The Image of Our Lady of Czestochowa in the present form is a unique example of a harmonious combination of Bizantine art of the East with the Latin culture of the West.

Four diagonal slashes crossing each other which are visible on the right cheek of the Blessed Mother, are real cuts made by a sharp tool. They are gradually deepening in the layers of the paint, going as far as injuring the background.

Two longer slashes, on the face and on the neck, were pointed out by being painted with vermilion as blood scars in order to commemorate a sacrilege done in the year of 1430.

The heroic defense of Jasna Gora in 1655 during the Swedish invasion became a very important vent in the history of Poland. In the spirit of thanksgiving for saving the painting, then, the monastery and the entire country.

King John Casimir made his vows in 1656 in Lvov, in which he appointed the Mother of Jasna Gora the Queen of the Polish Crown. From that day Jasna Gora became a throne of victorious Queen and a place where everyone could confide to Her all their individual, family and national issues.

Pope John Paull II entrusted to Her his entire Papal mission with his famous motto: Totus Tuus – Totally yours, Mary!”

The Image of Black Madonna of Czestochowa was created most likely in the second half of the XIII century as the Balkan Icon. It was painted with tempera on a canvas, which was attached to the surface of the three lime tree boards, with nimbi carved in them around the heads of the figures.

In the years 1430-1434, the icon was the subject of an extensive renovation in Krakow in the court of the King Ladislaus Jagiello.

The visitors at Jasna Gora Monastery can see:

The Chapel of the Miraculous Painting of Black Madonna of Częstochowa

The Basilica of Jasna Góra

The Knights’ Hall

The Treasury

The 600th Year Anniversary Museum of Jasna Góra

The St. Roch Bastion

The Arsenal

The Tower of Jasna Góra

The Treasury of Jasna Gora monastery

The Treasury of Jasna Gora – the oldest part of the museum of Jasna Góra.

In the Treasury, one can enjoy the richness and beauty of the most precious votive offerings – gifts to Our Lady of Czestochowa during the past centuries.

The exhibits have been displayed in showcases, glass and exhibition cabinets and on the walls.

They are:

silverware, jewelry, weave articles and armorers

liturgy items such as vessels, vestments, candlesticks

jewelry made of ivory, pearl, turquoise, different precious stones

votive offerings of popes, cardinals, and believers from different countries of the world

votive offerings of Polish kings, nobles, and heroes of national independence struggles

The Museum of the 600th Year Anniversary of Jasna Gora

The Museum of the 600th Year Anniversary of Jasna Gora opened in 1982, has presented cultural and artistic activities of the Pauline monks, guardians of this place. The permanent exhibition consists of, among others.: