Reconstruction of a Romanesque collegiate church from the 12th century
The second half of the 12th century marked a period of renewed development in Kalisz. Definitely, its strategic location on the routes connecting the most important regions of divided Poland was an advantage. These routes connected Greater Poland with Lesser Poland, and Silesia with Kuyavia and Mazovia. In the provisions of Bolesław III Wrymouth will, Kalisz, along with eastern Greater Poland, was incorporated into the senioral district.
Fragment of the foundations of the collegiate church (photo by K. Dąbrowski)
After the expulsion of the senior duke, Władysław II, in 1146, eastern Greater Poland was annexed to the district of Mieszko III, originally covering only the territories of western Greater Poland with Poznań. Probably in the beginning of the second half of the 12th century, funded by Mieszko III, a collegiate church of St. Paul was erected on the site of the previous structure. It was also likely during this time that canon prebends were founded.
Foundations of the collegiate church and cemetery near the temple (drawing by E. Gumińska)
Position of the collegiate church against the backdrop of the stronghold (compiled by D. Wyczółkowski)
The church in Kalisz was a single-nave building with a shallow chancel ending in an apse, and an adjoining tower to the west in the shape of a rectangle. The external dimensions of the nave were approximately 17 m x 15 m, and the tower was 10 m x 5.5 m. The total length was about 23 m. The width measured inside the chancel was around 4 m. The church foundations, with a width reaching up to 2.7 m, were made of large, irregular stones and boulders.
Interestingly, during construction, the marshy ground was reinforced by laying the foundation stones on a grillage or on stakes driven into the ground. In the scale of early medieval Polish architecture, this is a unique solution, previously unseen in other structures erected during this period. The main nave was likely covered with a wooden ceiling, while the existence of a vault in the chancel and its ending apse can be assumed.
Medallion with St. Matthew (photo by M. Osiadacz)
Medallion with a dragon (photo by M. Osiadacz)
As inferred from the analysis of preserved fragments of architectural detail, the plane of the walls inside the apse, and perhaps also in the chancel, was articulated by half-columns, presumably supporting a cornice upon which the vault rested. Widened windows of the nave walls were framed by small columns and adorned with colorful stained glass. The exterior walls were crowned with a cornice supported by an arcade frieze. In the literature, the skilled craftsmanship and artistic level of stone carving are highlighted. In the fourth quarter of the 12th century, the building underwent renovations. In its western section, a gallery – a type of balcony that extends into the central hall from the west side, or an open area facing the hall intended for the prince and his family, was constructed. In the case of the Kalisz collegiate church, both of these options were considered during the interior redesign. Access to the gallery was provided by a staircase located in an added tower attached to the main hall, as well as stairs allowing access from the hall.
Stirrup inlaid with gold found near the collegiate church (IAE PAN archives)
Foundations of the collegiate church in the early 1990s.
The collegiate church in the Kalisz stronghold most likely was not destroyed when the stronghold was captured by the forces of Henry the Bearded in 1233, and according to the analysis of written sources, it continued to function at least until the end of the 13th century. It is believed that the church, along with the stronghold and the surrounding villages, was destroyed in 1331 by the Teutonic Knights, who unsuccessfully attempted to capture Kalisz, which was fortified with walls. The architecture of the Kalisz collegiate church served as inspiration for the builders of many later single-nave churches with a western tower. Among them, a well-preserved church in Kotłów, located to the south of Kalisz, stands out, almost identical to the reconstructed form of the Kalisz collegiate church. Its construction is dated to the end of the 12th century.
Dariusz Wyczółkowski
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