Church of St Casimir in Swobnica

The Church of St Casimir in Swobnica, in Banie municipality, dates from the 13th century. It originally belonged to the Templars, who held the Banie land, and after the dissolution of the order in the 14th century it passed into the ownership of the Hospitallers.

Granite, a heavy form and neo-Gothic rebuilding

The oriented hall building of granite ashlar has a rectangular plan measuring 23 by 9.4 m. In the side walls three walled-up portals closed with semicircular arches have survived, two on the south side and one on the north. In 1886 the church was thoroughly rebuilt in the neo-Gothic spirit: a brick, four-sided tower and a five-sided chancel were added, and new windows, gables and a west portal were built.

Interior and the post-war period

The interior is covered by a wooden ceiling, the windows have stained glass, and part of the neo-Gothic furnishings has survived. In 1946 the church was taken over by the Salesians, and in 2014 relics of John Paul II were brought into it.

Practical information

• Village: Swobnica, Banie municipality. The church is entered in the heritage register.
• The history of the orders in the area is explained by the castle of the Templars and Hospitallers, about 1.1 km from the church.
• Service times and opening hours are given by the parish.