Dominican Church and Convent of St. James in Sandomierz

Dominican Church and Convent of St. James, Shrine of Blessed Sadok and 48 Dominican martyrs, Shrine of Our Lady of Rosary
View from the Sandomierz Main Square
Basic information
Affiliation	Roman Catholic
Rite	Latin
State	Poland
Province	Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship / Roman Catholic Diocese of Sandomierz
Region	Sandomierz
Country	Poland
Completed	around 1211

The Church of St. James in Sandomierz, also known as the Shrine of Blessed Sadok and 48 Dominican martyrs, Monastery of Dominicans (Convent of St. James), Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary, is one of the oldest brick churches in Poland (and probably in Europe) and the second oldest Dominican monastery in Poland (after the monastery in Cracow). This church is a unique indirect form of Romano-Gothic style. The Roman ceramic decorations on the outside gabled walls are unusual and beautifully done. The stained glass windows inside are particularly beautiful, and date from 1910 to 1918.

This was the second priory founded in Poland by Saint Hyacinth. During the Mongol invasion in 1260, Sadok and 48 other Dominicans were murdered there. Because of this martyrdom, the Polish Dominican friars may use red belts in their habits. There is also a holy icon of Our Lady of the Rosary - the title of Mary that is the most important to the Order. After the January Uprising, Dominican friars were thrown out by the Russian administration during the Partition. They returned to Sandomierz in 2001.

In this church, The Lesser Polish Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela has its beginning. In medieval times it was an important stop for the pilgrims from Eastern and Northern Europe.

Coordinates: 50°40′41″N 21°44′26″E / 50.67806°N 21.74056°E / 50.67806; 21.74056