Chmielnik: Parish Church, Synagogue and Jewish History

• Construction of the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary began after 1730 and was completed in 1783.
• The church has a single-nave interior and a painting of the Immaculate Virgin on the Moon dating from 1736.
• The former 18th-century synagogue has been converted into the “Świętokrzyski Sztetl” Educational and Museum Centre named after Majer Mały.
• A memorial plaque on the building at Rynek 26 commemorates Józef Piłsudski’s stay in Chmielnik; it was installed in 2005.

The history of the parish church dates back to the period after 1730; construction was completed in 1783. The interior is single-nave. A specific work of art adds to this architectural impression: the painting of the Immaculate Virgin on the Moon, dating from 1736. The construction period, the form of the interior and the dated painting offer different points of interest if you are interested in religious architecture and art.

You can organise your visit around these themes: the construction period tells the story of the church’s origins, while the painting offers a distinct, precisely dated glimpse of its furnishings. Both are part of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Chmielnik.

The former synagogue dates from the 18th century and has been converted into the “Świętokrzyski Sztetl” Educational and Museum Centre named after Majer Mały. The centre commemorates the distinctive character of former Polish-Jewish shtetls and the coexistence of Polish and Jewish cultures. Its focus is therefore on history and cultural coexistence.

The synagogue exhibition includes multimedia attractions and a glass bimah described as unique in the world. The Torah was once read at this spot; today, the bimah is intended for exclusive presentations and mini-concerts. These different uses make the bimah a specific exhibition theme: it links its former religious function with its intended use today.

If you would like to make an event the focus of your plans, check the specific dates.

A memorial plaque installed in 2005 on the building at Rynek 26 commemorates Józef Piłsudski’s stay in Chmielnik. Alongside the history of the church and Jewish culture, the plaque offers another specific point of remembrance. Its purpose is clear: it commemorates Piłsudski’s stay, while the synagogue exhibition explores other historical and cultural themes.

In recent years, two quests have been prepared in the municipality of Chmielnik: “Piotrkowickie tajemnice” and “W Chmielniku – mieście kultur i religii” (“In Chmielnik – City of Cultures and Religions”).

When you sort your interests, the parish church centres on its construction history, interior and the 1736 painting. The centre in the former synagogue focuses on Jewish cultural history and the coexistence of Polish and Jewish cultures; the glass bimah adds its former and intended uses to this theme. The memorial plaque, in turn, commemorates a specific person and their stay. This lets you choose which themes to explore further on your trip to Chmielnik.

Discover more destinations: Chałupki, Masłów, Bieliny, Niestachów, Bęczków, Huta Nowa, Borków, Cedzyna.

When was the parish church in Chmielnik built?

Construction began after 1730 and was completed in 1783.

What is the glass bimah?

It is part of the synagogue exhibition. The Torah was once read there; today, it is intended for exclusive presentations and mini-concerts.

Which quests have been prepared in the municipality of Chmielnik?

In recent years, “Piotrkowickie tajemnice” and “W Chmielniku – mieście kultur i religii” have been prepared.

For the wider travel overview: Kielce.