Abbatia Lubensis abbey

The Abbatia Lubensis abbey ( _de. Kloster Leubus; _pl. Opactwo cystersów w Lubiążu) was a Cistercian abbey in Lubiąż, [CathEncy|wstitle=Leubus] Silesia. This well-preserved complex is a masterpiece of Baroque Silesian architecture and a significant tourist destination.

Description

The abbey is believed to be the second largest Christian architectural complex in the world (after Spanish Escorial). The area of the roofs is about 25,000 square metres, and the length of the facade is 223 meters (the longest baroque facade in Europe). In the crypts, there are 98 well-preserved mummies of Silesian dukes.

Abey history

Built over centuries, the abbey - the biggest Cistercian abbey in the world - is currently rated in the highest class ("0") of landmarks of world's cultural heritage.

The Benedictines built the abbey and church of St. Jacob in 1150 but left before 1163.

In 1163, duke Bolesław I the Tall of the Silesian Piast dynasty invited Cistercians from Pforta over Saale River, (Thuringia) and settled them in Lubiąż as first ones in Silesia. From 1249 to 1844, the place held town privileges. The painter Michael Willmann was patronized by the abbey.

Cistercians were expelled from Lubiąż in 1810 by King Frederick William III of Prussia.

During World War II, Germans probably started in cellars of the abbey production of parts for V1 and V2 rockets using prisoners for labour.

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