Captivating

Roadside shrines

Roadside shrines are an inseparable element of the Polish landscape. There are thousands of them located at the crossroads of country roads, but also in cities: in the streets, near private houses or even in the gardens.

It is not known exactly when this ‘small sacred architecture’ appeared in our country. The practice of erecting shrines probably dates back to pagan times, other sources indicate their Greco-Roman origin.

The shrines are primarily an expression of the faith of our ancestors. Usually, they were erected for thanksgiving, votive or ritual purposes. Their forms are very different: from simple wooden boxes with a picture of Virgin Mary inside, to small, beautifully decorated, brick or stone buildings, where you can enter and pray in front of an intricately made sculpture of Jesus Christ.

photos: Adobe Stock, Alina Jabłońska Domurat