The Benedictines and their Architecture in Poland from the 10th to the Mid-13th Century

This paper presents the results of studies concerning history and architecture of the Benedictine order in Poland from the beginning of the Polish state in the 60's of the tenth until the mid-thirteenth century (end of Romanesque art period in Poland). The first part is about the beginnings of Benedictine activity at the court of the first Piast rulers and their hypothetical role in establishing the first cathedral chapters. Then, just at the end of the first half of the 11th century, the first abbey was founded in Tyniec (near Cracow), which is known for its architectural relics. Two more abbeys were founded in Mogilno and Lubin both in the 11th century. Another four date back to the 12th century - Plock, Olbin, Swiety Krzyz (Saint Cross) and Sieciechow. The second part of the text consits of short studies on architecture and stone sculpture of the relics of all seven abbeys that used to exist in Poland in the middle ages.