Basilica of Our Lady of Licheń Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Basilica of Our Lady of Licheń in Licheń Stary Bazylika Najświętszej Maryi Panny Licheńskiej w Licheniu Starym
Front view of the Basilica
Religion
Affiliation	Roman Catholic
District	Diocese of Włocławek
Year consecrated	2004
Location
Location	Licheń Stary, Poland
Architecture
Architect(s)	Barbara Bielecka
Architectural type	church
Architectural style	postmodern
Groundbreaking	1994-06-24
Completed	2004
Specifications
Direction of façade	south
Spire height	141.5 m (464 ft)
Materials	concrete, steel, bricks

The Basilica of Our Lady of Licheń [ˈlixɛɲ] is a very large Catholic church. You can find it in the village of Licheń Stary in Poland. It is part of a special place called the Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows, Queen of Poland.

A talented architect named Barbara Bielecka designed this amazing building. It was built between 1994 and 2004. The money for its construction came from donations given by many pilgrims. With a tower that reaches 141.5 meters (464 feet) high, it is one of the tallest churches in the world. It is also one of the largest.

Pope John Paul II gave the shrine the special title of "minor basilica" on February 25, 2005. This means it's a very important church.

History of the Basilica
Gallery
See also

History of the Basilica

The story of this church began in 1813. A Polish soldier named Tomasz Kłossowski was fighting in a war near Leipzig. He was badly hurt and asked the Virgin Mary for help. He prayed not to die far from his home in Poland.

Legend says that the Virgin Mary appeared to him. She wore a golden crown and a dark red dress. She also had a golden cloak and held a white eagle. She told Tomasz he would get better and return to Poland. She also asked him to have an image of her made. This image was to be placed in a public spot. She said, "My people will pray before this image and shall draw many graces at My hands in the hardest times of trial."

Size and Importance

This basilica is truly huge! The main part of the church, called the nave, is 120 meters (394 feet) long. It is also 77 meters (253 feet) wide. The big dome in the middle is 98 meters (321 feet) high. The tower stands at an impressive 141.5 meters (464 feet) tall. This makes it the largest church in Poland. It is also one of the largest church buildings in the world. It even has one of the tallest domes anywhere.

The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, Queen of Poland. A very old picture, possibly from the 1700s, of Our Lady is on the main altar. This church is one of the most important places for pilgrims in Poland.

Amazing Organ

Between 2002 and 2007, a Polish company named Zych built a massive pipe organ here. It has 157 stops, 6 keyboards, and a pedalboard. This makes it the largest organ in Poland. It is also the 4th largest in Europe and the 13th largest in the entire world!

Papal Blessings and Museum

Pope John Paul II visited and blessed the Basilica in 1999. In 2007, some parts of the Polish museum from Fawley Court were moved to this shrine. This was done by the Marian Fathers, who care for the church.