Trzebnica

Introducing Trzebnica

A small town 25km north of Wrocław, Trzebnica (tsheb-nee-tsah) is noted for its former Cistercian abbey (opactwo cysterskie). It’s an impressive site and a pleasant half-day trip from Wrocław.

The Cistercian order was brought to Poland in 1140 and established its first monastery in Jędrzejów, from where it expanded rapidly, counting some 40 abbeys throughout the country within a century. Trzebnica (Trebnitz in German) was the site of the first Cistercian convent in Poland, founded in 1202 by Henryk I Brodaty (Henry I the Bearded), the duke of Lower Silesia, at the request of his wife, Princess Jadwiga (Hedwig). After the hirsute duke’s death in 1238, the pious Jadwiga entered the abbey and lived an ascetic life till her death in 1243; just 24 years later, she was canonised as St Hedwig of Andechs (Św Jadwiga Śląska). She is the patron saint of Silesia, and the abbey church where she and Henryk were buried is now a pilgrimage site, particularly on her feast day, 16 October.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009