Lezajsk Basilica Organ

The Bernardine basilica at Lezajsk was built between 1618 and 1628 inside a fortified monastery wall with bastions, and it holds an organ built by Stanislaw Studzinski and Jan Glowinski between 1678 and 1693 that is one of the great surviving instruments of its period: three separate cases - a main organ and two side organs in the transepts - with around six thousand pipes between them, playable together, and carved and gilded cases with figures. It is among the largest baroque organs anywhere in Europe still in something close to original condition. An international organ music festival has run here since 1990, with concerts through the summer, and demonstrations are given at other times. The basilica is a Marian pilgrimage site with a painted image and heavy baroque furnishing. Lezajsk is also a place of Hasidic pilgrimage: the tomb of Elimelech of Lizhensk in the Jewish cemetery draws visitors from around the world.

What you actually see

• A three-case organ - main and two transept organs, about six thousand pipes.
• Built 1678-1693 - among the largest baroque instruments surviving in Europe.
• A fortified monastery - bastioned walls around the basilica.
• Elimelech's tomb - a Hasidic pilgrimage site in the Jewish cemetery.

When to go

May to September, for the concerts. Half a day.

Honest expectations

The organ is heard properly only at concerts or scheduled demonstrations. The church closes to sightseeing during services and pilgrimages. The Jewish cemetery has its own access arrangements and etiquette.

Nearby

Lancut palace is about thirty kilometres south-west.