Ceramic Mosaic Adorns the Church in Zebrzydowa. A Unique Work Has Been Created

An Unusual Decoration on the Church in Zebrzydowa. Each Tile is a Unique Piece.

Kościół w Zebrzydowej. (fot. Facebook Ks. Waldemar Wesołowski)

The church in Zebrzydowa has gained a unique decoration. A huge ceramic composition has appeared on its facade, combining religious themes with what the Bolesławiec region has been famous for for years – ceramics.

The idea to create the mosaic arose during the renovation of the temple's facade. As Father Jacek Saładucha explains in an interview with Bolec.Info, he wanted to incorporate the region's characteristic craftsmanship into the sacred space as well. Together with the parish council, he concluded that the renovated facade could gain something more than just a new look.

– I have a new church essentially, I don’t have to consult certain things with the conservation officer, so we decided that this new form would be connected to the land we live on. To what is the essence of our region, which is ceramics – explains the pastor.

The project was led by Grzegorz Niemyjski, an artist associated with the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław. The concept was then handed over for execution to Ceramika Millena in Parzyce.

As Father Saładucha explains, the creation of the mosaic was a multi-stage process. Each tile was shaped and fired separately. Then, individual elements of the design were applied to them, and later the tiles were glazed and fired again.

– Each tile was made separately, in clay form. They are all unique pieces. First, the tiles were fired, then the image was painted, that is, the rosette, and then everything had to be properly marked – the pastor recounts.

Marking each tile was necessary because they all had to later find their place. Each row and each element received its own number. The process also had its specifics. Fired ceramics do not always retain exactly the same dimensions. Differences can be as much as a few tenths of a millimeter, which is significant for such a large structure.

From the first idea to the moment the mosaic was placed on the church, about two years passed.

Father Saładucha admits that one of the inspirations was Portuguese temples and buildings adorned with characteristic ceramic tiles.

In this way, a realization was created that has both a religious and local dimension. The lower part of the composition refers to the creation of the world, while the rosette and cross above relate to Mary and Christ.

The entire piece measures 10 meters wide and 4.60 meters high.

The new decoration has sparked interest among the residents. As the pastor says, the reactions of the parishioners are very positive.

The realization would not have been possible without the involvement of several individuals and companies. Some of the costs were covered by sponsors, and the people participating in the project also contributed something of their own. Support was provided by, among others, Ceramika Millena, the company that executed the facade and laid the ceramic elements, as well as the artist himself and  Wiesław Senyszyn.

– These were not overwhelming costs. Thanks to everyone wanting to contribute something. The ceramics, the artist, and the company that did the facade, everyone gave something of themselves – emphasizes the pastor.

Today, the ceramic composition is one of the most characteristic elements of the facade of the church in Zebrzydowa. It is also an example of how local ceramic tradition can find its place in a completely new form.