At the foot of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains lies Domaszowice. For a trip focused on cultural history, the Chapel of Our Lady of Częstochowa, the domaszowskie zapaski and historical memorials offer different insights into the town. The topics range from building phases and furnishings to textile design, former routes and customs.

Chapel: Building History and Furnishings

The Chapel of Our Lady of Częstochowa was built in the mid-19th century in Domaszowice Rządowe, also known as Stara Wieś, near the former bishop’s manor, which no longer exists today. Initially, it consisted only of what is now the chancel; the nave and a small bell tower with a roof turret were added later. Unlike most of the other chapels built as part of the same project, which were made of wood, this chapel was built of masonry.

A painting of the Madonna hangs in the nave, and its frame bears the year 1815. The side altars feature a painting of Saint Isidore on the left, believed to date from the late 18th century, and a painting of Saint Anthony on the right, also believed to date from around the same period. A holy water font made of Bolechów stone is also part of the furnishings. The dates refer to different details: 1815 appears on the frame of the Madonna painting, while the dating of the two side-altar paintings is only tentative. In the churchyard stands a cast-iron crucifix from 1897, donated by Franciszek and Maciej Strużyk.

Textile Tradition and Memorials

Domaszowice is considered the birthplace of the fashion for the so-called domaszowskie zapaski. They are characterised by narrow stripes and are considered the oldest type of zapaska in the Świętokrzyskie region. This classification combines two aspects: Domaszowice as the birthplace of the fashion, and Świętokrzyskie as the region where this type is considered the oldest.

Another memorial is an iron cross on a stone pedestal. Its inscription, “Błogosław Boże Twojemu ludowi” (“God, bless your people”), recalls the patriotic demonstrations before the January Uprising. Walery Przyborowski was born in Domaszowice; he was a January Uprising insurgent, historian and writer.

Historical Routes and Regional Setting

A pilgrimage route to Częstochowa once passed through Domaszowice. Historically, two other routes also converged there: one from Kielce, now Domaszowska Street, and one from Szydłówek. The pilgrimage route was headed for Częstochowa; the other two routes came from different places. Thus, a religious route to a destination and historical connections with Kielce and Szydłówek existed side by side.

A group of trees and overgrown remnants of a park are visible traces of the former manor house in Domaszowice. Domaszowice borders Cedzyna to the east, where a reservoir lies on the Lubrzanka River. At the end of the carnival season, Kusoki celebrations are held in Domaszowice on the initiative of the Domaszowianki singing group. Their timing differs from that of the building and landscape traces: Kusoki are part of the carnival calendar, while the chapel, crosses and manor-house remains shape the local history in the landscape.

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