Europe
Poland
 Poznań
Dominican priory, church and monastery of Saint Catherine

For the early history of the Dominicans in Poland, click here.

A brief description.

Poznań lies upon River Warta, and was a fortified settlement in the 9th century. In 1253 Prince Przemysl I granted the city its municipal rights.


 After an order of Prince Przemysl I the Dominicans were allowed to build a priory and church on the left border of the river Warta in 1244.

They built their church in 1253 and so it is the oldest church within the town-walls.  
At the left side the Late Gothic Rosary Chapel dates from 1500, and the chapel of Saint Jacek (1622). The stalls feature sculpted mannerist scenes from the legends of Saints Dominic and Hyacinth (1620).
 In 1698 a big inundation destroyed the pillars of the church and the roof came down. The architect Catenassci rebuilt the church in Baroque-style.

 In July is organised the annual St. John's Fair, the tradition of which goes back as far the Middle Ages. Perhaps is this the same fair, which was started by the edict of Prince Przemysl I to celebrate the feast of the consecration of the Dominican church in 1254.

 
 The Jesuits took over the church in 1920. In the small courtyard outside the presbytery you'll find the entrance to the Jesuit Gallery, where you can see the mannerist interiors of the library, cloister and Chapel of Saint Hyacinth.

The Dominican nuns has a monastery, dedicated Saint Catharine, from the 14th  century. The church is now used by the Fathers Salesians.

Sources: Internet s.v. Poznań.
           :  Hus, martin: Polen. Den Haag, ANWB 1991, p. 140.

 

 

Philately

The city Poznań,1740, engraving  by Friedrich Bernhard
Werner (1688-1778), with the former Dominican church
and the church of the monastery of the Dominican nuns,
dedicated Saint Catherine, 14th century, now used by the
Fathers Salesians.

Poland 1973, Mi Bl 56, Sc bl 128.

 

 

Poznań, 1740, after the engraving by Friedrich Bernhard
Werner (1688-1778), with the former Dominican church
(under the letter e (philatelique) and the church of the
monastery of the Dominican nuns, dedicated Saint Catherine, 14th century, now used by the Fathers Salesians.

Poland 1973, cover balloon post.

 

 

Poland 1986. Postmark of the edict of Prince Przemysl I of the annual St. John's Fair to celebrate the consecration of the Dominican church in 1254.

Poland 1986, postmark Poznań, 27.10.1986.

 

 

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