The Church of Peace
The Church of Peace
4.5
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4.5
193 reviews
Excellent
138
Very good
46
Average
6
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Astrid
78 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
One of the hidden gems of Southern Poland, not the easiest to access if you're just visiting Poland as there are no direct train connections to this area. A very impressive painting and work of art in a historical context. The presentation is very informative although it's from a single speakerphone system, meaning that you might listen to it in different languages before is your turn. Very reasonable price, which an extra for photos that doesn't hurt your pocket. A UNESCO heritage worth of trying to find a detour to visit.
Written 17 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
laurence7449
mauritius14 contributions
Sept 2012 • Solo
If it is possible to make a day trip from Kracow to both Jawor and Swidnic Unesco peace churches by public transportation? and the time schedule of bus and train?
I checked the Polan train schedule, but it seems like one day is not enough for 2 churchs.
Thanks.
I checked the Polan train schedule, but it seems like one day is not enough for 2 churchs.
Thanks.
Written 27 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Piotr J
Zarow2 contributions
June 2011 • Friends
One of the phenomenic church on the world. This church was built without nails. Also church in Jawor (30 km from Swidnica) is the same built. Only these two places on the world.
Beautiful!!!
I recomend also Cathedral church in Swidnica and old town, as a historic place to sightseeing and take a rest alone or with family
Beautiful!!!
I recomend also Cathedral church in Swidnica and old town, as a historic place to sightseeing and take a rest alone or with family
Written 22 November 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GregVictor
Dubai, United Arab Emirates9 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Definitely worth of visiting! These beautiful 17th century Churches were suppose to last 5 years and survived 350! Can be part of a few day trip to Wroclaw. Must not be missed if you're planning a longer stay in the region. Best way to visit is by renting a car but you can travel to Świdnica by bus from Wrocław as well (leaves daily from ul. Dawida every 2 hrs). After visiting the church in Świdnica you can catch a train from the town's main station and head to Jawor.
Written 27 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
haib18
Massachusetts66 contributions
Sept 2013 • Family
Built 1655.
Highly recommended.
One of two biggest timber-framed religious buildings in Europe due to pioneering constructional and architectural solutions.
Named after the Peace of Westphalia of 1648 which permitted the Lutherans in the Roman Catholic parts of Silesia to build three Evangelical churches from wood, loam and straw outside the city walls, without steeples and church bells. The construction time was limited to one year.
Restored by a Polish–German cooperation, and recognized by UNESCO in 2001.
Jaw dropping artwork and wodden structure in the interior.
Easy walk - no stairs.
Google maps real time navigation found it woityh ease.
Highly recommended.
One of two biggest timber-framed religious buildings in Europe due to pioneering constructional and architectural solutions.
Named after the Peace of Westphalia of 1648 which permitted the Lutherans in the Roman Catholic parts of Silesia to build three Evangelical churches from wood, loam and straw outside the city walls, without steeples and church bells. The construction time was limited to one year.
Restored by a Polish–German cooperation, and recognized by UNESCO in 2001.
Jaw dropping artwork and wodden structure in the interior.
Easy walk - no stairs.
Google maps real time navigation found it woityh ease.
Written 19 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurel D
Orlando, FL49 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
My parents and I stopped to visit this church in Jawor on our drive from Berlin to Krakow. It is a stunning sight. After the treaty that ended the 30 Years War, the Lutherans of the area were permitted to build three churches (two are still in existence). However, they were restricted by several requirements: The church was to be built from only wood, hay, and clay; it was to be built within one year; it was to have no steeples or church bells, and was to be outside the city walls.
It is a huge structure, with beautiful paintings and carving. It is quite amazing that the structure still stands today! There was another church built in Swidnica, which we also went to see, and which is also gorgeous. The third church was destroyed by lightning.
Not only is the church spectacular, the town of Jawor is enchanting. It was so good to get out of the bigger cities and see a smaller Polish town. The little town Square was quite pretty, and we had a lovely meal there in a restaurant on the square for pennies (pierogis and potato pancakes).
It is a huge structure, with beautiful paintings and carving. It is quite amazing that the structure still stands today! There was another church built in Swidnica, which we also went to see, and which is also gorgeous. The third church was destroyed by lightning.
Not only is the church spectacular, the town of Jawor is enchanting. It was so good to get out of the bigger cities and see a smaller Polish town. The little town Square was quite pretty, and we had a lovely meal there in a restaurant on the square for pennies (pierogis and potato pancakes).
Written 20 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Forby
Liberec, Czech Republic13 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
We came to this church short after noon, when church supposed to be open. At entrance we were told, that there is still mess, if we can come again one hour later. No problem, we can have lunch and come back at 1pm. BTW, no restaurant was open in whole city. We came back at 1 pm and on tbe church doors was sign "noon pause" 13-14. Ok little bit upset we have waited another hour, and when ve came back in 14:15 no sign here and door was locked and nobody around. So never more...
Written 13 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maggie L
11 contributions
Aug 2017 • Solo
I visited both churches, almost an afterthought at the end of a 3 week holiday and I am so very glad I did. They were the highlight of my trip.
These Peace churches are UNESCO World Heritage sites and their construction was part of the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. Both churches were constructed of wood and are decorated on every available surface with stencilled designs. For a few zloty you can hear a commentary in english (or french). As part of the conditions for building them they had to be constructed within a single 12 month period, be built to an atypical design and use no permanent materials, only wood, straw and loam. NO bells were to be allowed and no church tower either. As they have now been standing for well in excess of 350 years their continued survival is remarkable.
I had a car so it was easy to get to both and I was able to park close in each case, however you can also get to the Swidnica church on the train from Wroclaw very easily.
These Peace churches are UNESCO World Heritage sites and their construction was part of the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. Both churches were constructed of wood and are decorated on every available surface with stencilled designs. For a few zloty you can hear a commentary in english (or french). As part of the conditions for building them they had to be constructed within a single 12 month period, be built to an atypical design and use no permanent materials, only wood, straw and loam. NO bells were to be allowed and no church tower either. As they have now been standing for well in excess of 350 years their continued survival is remarkable.
I had a car so it was easy to get to both and I was able to park close in each case, however you can also get to the Swidnica church on the train from Wroclaw very easily.
Written 2 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travellingesther
Lubeck, Germany227 contributions
Aug 2017 • Solo
... this may well be due to the mor quiet atmosphere there. Both churches are very impressive for various reasons.
Firstly, these timberframe churches were built all from wood, no stone. This was not just a funny idea of some nobleman and his architect, but due to harsh restrictions protestand christians faced at that time. After undergoing reformation in the 16th century, silesia was counterreformed aggressively after the 30yr war and catholicism became the official and only state religion. The few remaining protestant christians fought hard for their right to build a church - and finally they got permission in 3 places. One of the regulations read, that the must not use stones to build this church, but wood only (supposedly to reduce the churches durabilty, specially in times, where whole cities fell victim to fires). Another one, that the church had to be finished within 10 years (supposedly to reduce the possible size of such a church) ...
So I am impressed, what people can build and protect - they erected 3 all-timber baroque churches, two of which still exist. The built them in the required time span, and still the largest one would seat 7000 people - by installing 4 galleries on each side.
One other impressive point is the inner decoration - these churches are painted over and over - something quite unusal for the a protestant church, that in most cases would be held rather plain and lived from the music only ...
And the accoustics in these old churches is excellent! As if the old wood itself was an instrument picking up the vibrations and multiplying them ... faboulos ... Go if ever you can organize it ... and plan sufficient time to have these buildings leave an impression on your mind and soul!
Firstly, these timberframe churches were built all from wood, no stone. This was not just a funny idea of some nobleman and his architect, but due to harsh restrictions protestand christians faced at that time. After undergoing reformation in the 16th century, silesia was counterreformed aggressively after the 30yr war and catholicism became the official and only state religion. The few remaining protestant christians fought hard for their right to build a church - and finally they got permission in 3 places. One of the regulations read, that the must not use stones to build this church, but wood only (supposedly to reduce the churches durabilty, specially in times, where whole cities fell victim to fires). Another one, that the church had to be finished within 10 years (supposedly to reduce the possible size of such a church) ...
So I am impressed, what people can build and protect - they erected 3 all-timber baroque churches, two of which still exist. The built them in the required time span, and still the largest one would seat 7000 people - by installing 4 galleries on each side.
One other impressive point is the inner decoration - these churches are painted over and over - something quite unusal for the a protestant church, that in most cases would be held rather plain and lived from the music only ...
And the accoustics in these old churches is excellent! As if the old wood itself was an instrument picking up the vibrations and multiplying them ... faboulos ... Go if ever you can organize it ... and plan sufficient time to have these buildings leave an impression on your mind and soul!
Written 7 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrpiotrp
Lodz, Poland41 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
This is a must-see if you are in south-western Poland e.g. in Wrocław, especially that both the churches are on the UNESCO WH List. Easy to get by mini buses from Wrocław Bus station. You can see both in one day.
From outside - very interesting, huge, wooden constructions, with dominating white colour and timber framing, but inside - you feel not only enchanted but even mesmerized by enormous, 3-4 floor high galleries with paintings presenting scene from the Bible for illiterate people in that epoch...
Other monuments in both the cities also worth visiting - Main Squares with Town Halls, churches (esp. cathedral in Swidnica)...
From outside - very interesting, huge, wooden constructions, with dominating white colour and timber framing, but inside - you feel not only enchanted but even mesmerized by enormous, 3-4 floor high galleries with paintings presenting scene from the Bible for illiterate people in that epoch...
Other monuments in both the cities also worth visiting - Main Squares with Town Halls, churches (esp. cathedral in Swidnica)...
Written 18 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this church open in January? I read that it is closed for certain months and visiting is not possible?
Written 3 December 2019
Sorry ale dziś niedziela więc może być różnie. Sądzę że już (jest 1730) zamknięte ale bezwzględnie warto - może kiedyś indziej.
Written 17 November 2019
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