Sianowo - Sanktuarium Królowej Kaszub

Sianowo - the sanctuary of the Queen of Kaszuby

Summary: The village of Sianowo is located in the northern part of Kaszuby, 9 kilometres north-west of the town of Kartuzy. For centuries, it has been famous as a place of cult of Our Lady the Queen of Kaszuby, who settled here, among woods, lakes and hills.
During the last millennium, the lands around Sianów were under alternating Polish and German influences, balanced between the Catholic and Evangelic creeds. The local people, however, remained faithful to Rome and resisted centuries of Germanisation.
The cult is centred on a small gothic figure of Madonna in lime-wood, which has been accepting homage from the Kaszubs for the last 600 years. The legend has it that the Madonna was found in ferns, radiating divine light. It was taken to a Teutonic Knights’ chapel at Mirachów. However, when the figure thrice miraculously returned to Sianów this was understood to be a sign from God and a temple was built to house it. Sources speak of many miracles and graces received here. The figure itself twice miraculously survived fires of the Sianów church.
In 1966, the millennium anniversary of the baptism of Poland, by a decree of Pope Paul VI, the Lady of Sianów was crowned with papal crowns. The coronation was celebrate by Kazimierz Józef Kowalski, the bishop of Chełmno, in presence of many bishops, priests and the faithful.
Mary of Sianów is patron of young people before marriage. Every year, elementary and secondary school children arrive at Sianów from all over Kaszuby. Twice a year thousands of pilgrims come here from near and afar for church fairs on the days of Virgin Mary of Scapular and Virgin Mary of Sowing. When the charming half-timbered church could no longer hold the growing numbers of pilgrims a matching chapel was built in the nearby church green.
In summer, the sanctuary hosts religious groups of youth. The beauty of the surrounding landscape and the untouched nature help in getting closer to God and His Mother.

Peregrinus Cracoviensis, 2002, z.12, s. 209-223.

Instytut Geografii i Gospodarki Przestrzennej UJ

ISSN 1425-1922

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