Easy hikes and walks around Legnica

The Julek statue in Legnica is a charming yet controversial public sculpture that is part of a larger artistic project: 🧒 Who is "Julek"? Depiction: A young boy with an oversized backpack, from which a proca (slingshot) protrudes. On his head, he wears a newspaper cap – a typical accessory of childhood in the 1950s. Symbolism: Embodies a cheeky, curious child from Legnica, representing the city's generations. 🎨 Artist & Concept Author: Edward Mirowski, a sculptor from Legnica. Unveiling: On May 30, 2014, directly on the market square, next to the Galeria Sztuki. Part of the "Dzieci Legnicy" (Children of Legnica) cycle: Several sculptures are planned, depicting children from different eras – from the 1950s to the present. Goal: To reflect the city's identity and history through childhood figures. 🗣️ Reactions & Discussion The sculpture sparked controversial discussions: Some saw it as a loving tribute to the city's history, while others criticized it as kitsch. The sculpture's placement between the cathedral and the gallery was also debated. 📍 Location Right on Legnica's Rynek (Market Square), next to the Galeria Sztuki – easily accessible and a popular photo opportunity.

The Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul in Legnica (Katedra Świętych Apostołów Piotra i Pawła) is a significant sacred building with a rich history and impressive architecture. Here are the key details: 🏰 Historical Overview First church built: Already mentioned in 1208, originally dedicated to the Apostle Peter. Gothic Rebuilding: Built between 1328 and 1378 under master builder Wiland, modeled on St. Elizabeth's Church in Breslau. Consecration: On September 20, 1342, by Bishop Wacław; St. Paul was added as a second patron. Reformation: From 1522/23, the church served as a Protestant church under Duke Frederick II. Fire & Reconstruction: After a fire in 1835, it was rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style according to designs by Karl Friedrich Schinkel. 🛐 Catholic Cathedral Return to Catholics: After 1945, following the transfer to Poland. Elevation to cathedral status: On March 25, 1992, by Pope John Paul II, the main church of the newly established Diocese of Legnica. Visit of the Pope: John Paul II visited the cathedral on June 2, 1997. 🎨 Architecture & Furnishings Three-aisled hall church with cross vaults in the side aisles and a ribbed presbytery. Northwestern main portal: Around 1370, with a Gothic statue of the Madonna and Child (ca. 1340) – a masterpiece of stonemasonry. West portal: Scenes from the Adoration of the Magi. Interior: Renaissance pulpit (1586/88) Baroque high altar Bronze baptismal font in the shape of a Gothic chalice Gravestone of Duke Ludwig II of Brieg and Elisabeth of Brandenburg. 📍 Location & Surroundings Directly on Liegnitz Square, centrally located in the old town. In the immediate vicinity: Church of Our Lady, Liegnitz Castle, Copper Museum, and Modrzejewska Theater.

The Church of Our Lady in Legnica (German: Liegnitz, Polish: Kościół Marii Panny) is one of the oldest and most historically significant churches in Lower Silesia. Here is a comprehensive overview of its heritage:🏰 Origins & Architecture Founded: Around 1170 by Duke Bolesław I the Long, originally as a wooden, single-nave church near his castle. Reconstruction: In 1192, a Romanesque sandstone church replaced the wooden structure. It featured a short chancel and a semicircular apse. Destruction & Gothic Revival: After a devastating fire in 1338, the church was rebuilt between 1362 and 1386 as a three-nave Gothic basilica, incorporating earlier foundations. 🛐 Religious Significance Evangelical Conversion: In 1522, the first Protestant sermon in Legnica took place here, marking the transition to Lutheran worship. After World War II: The church continued to serve the German Protestant minority until 1962, when Pastor Wolfgang Meißler was expelled. He later founded the "Schlesienhilfe PWM" foundation to support the church's preservation. Interior & Restoration Neo-Gothic Renovation: After a fire caused by lightning in 1822, the church was rebuilt (1824–1829) as a hall church with a neo-Gothic interior. Redesign 1905–1906: Interior decorated with Moorish geometric patterns by Prof. Detkana of Berlin. Stained-glass windows by August Oetken. Addition of a chapel on the south side and restoration of the towers. Artistic Highlights: A neo-Gothic altarpiece depicting the "Adoration of the Shepherds" (1770). Stained-glass windows depicting biblical scenes such as the Baptism of Jesus and the Conversion of Paul. Renaissance and Baroque epitaphs embedded in the walls. 🏛️ Structure & Style Built of brick with sandstone foundations. Dimensions: 50.5 m long, 20 m wide, with two towers reaching 62 m. The interior features cross-ribbed vaulted ceilings and octagonal columns with Moorish motifs. 📍 Heritage & Recognition A square in front of the church was named Plac Pastora Wolfgang Max Meißler after its last German pastor in 2009. Today, it stands as a symbol of Legnica's multifaceted history—Polish, German, Catholic, and Protestant.

Julek is a schoolboy with a slingshot and a newspaper cap. Rumor has it that he didn't go to school, preferring to earn some money instead. This is apparently just the beginning of a series called "Children of Legnica." It remains to be seen whether there will be other similar characters. As usual, there are supporters and opponents of this idea. A comparison with the Wrocław dwarves isn't really appropriate, as the reason for their creation is very different.

The Baroque-style Old Town Hall was last used as a town hall in 1905. It is located at the southeast end of the row of buildings on Legnica's market square, very close to the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. The basement now houses a restaurant, known in Germany as the Ratskeller.

Julek – a sculpture of a boy by Legnica artist Edward Mirowski.

This church was dedicated to the two saints PIOTRA i PAWLA, also known as the "Prince of the Apostles". Their common feast day in the calendar of saints is June 29th. * Simon, nicknamed Peter (Rock), was a fisherman on Lake Genesareth when he - together with his brother - was called by Jesus Christ to be a "fisher of men". According to Catholic understanding, he is the highest apostle, and the two thousand year long line of popes - currently Francis - are his successors. In statues and paintings, Peter is almost always depicted with two keys in his hand; this attribute refers to the Bible verse in Matthew: "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Chapter 16, Verse 19). * Paul was initially an opponent of the Christian movement and was not called to the apostleship of Jesus Christ during his lifetime like the other apostles, but was only converted later with the famous "Damascus experience". His attribute is the sword with which he was executed; according to the Roman law of the time, this was a "privilege" (quick death and not, like other types of execution, associated with a long, painful death struggle) that was available to the citizens of Rome.

The old town of Legnica