Conservators unveil medieval and Baroque wall paintings at Tyniec Abbey, revealing centuries-old artistic treasures.
Conservators at the Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec have uncovered remarkable wall paintings dating from the late 15th to mid-18th century. The artworks, featuring floral motifs, branch ornaments, geometric patterns, and heraldic symbols, were hidden within the monastery’s cloisters.
Medieval and Baroque Masterpieces
One key discovery includes a depiction of the Rawicz coat of arms (a maiden on a bear), dating back to the late medieval period. It was likely added during renovations led by Abbot Andrzej Ożga in the late 1400s. Original paint traces and branch ornament fragments from this time have also been revealed.
Further findings include early 16th-century floral motifs intertwined with ribbon designs and 17th-century cartouche elements. Late Baroque geometric decorations painted in 1755 by Andrzej Radwański, a renowned Kraków artist, were also restored to highlight the architecture’s elegance.
A Monument to History
Tyniec Abbey, Poland’s oldest functioning Benedictine monastery, continues preserving its millennium-long heritage. These conservation efforts were supported by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the Kraków Monuments Restoration Committee.