Wroclaw's treasures in Town Hall [PHOTOS]

The most treasured goldsmithing works are in possession of major Roman Catholic parishes and museum collections in Wroclaw. They are dated to 16th–20th centuries. "They represent major styles, ranging from Gothic and the Renaissance, through Mannerism, Baroque, Rococo and Classicism to Art Deco, says Jan Trzynadlowski, the exhibition's curator. They were made using a number of virtuoso artistic techniques.

The exhibition showcases prized treasures that are in possession of Dominican and Jesuit Orders as well as the Sisters of Mercy of St. Borromeo from Trzebnica. The most prized and beautiful specimens come from the Cathedral treasury. Secular treasures are represented by the renowned "Treasure from Bremen" and Professor Norbert Heisig's Collection. For the first time in history, the Eagle of the Wroclaw Longbow Association from Zwinger has been presented to the public, made by Christian Mentzl the Elder in ca. 1685. "Unfortunately, the pendants founded by the subsequent Rooster Kings of the Associaiton has not survivied," says Jan Trzynadlowski.

"Of particular interest is the treasure that the Ursulines from Bielefeld bequeathed to the Wroclaw City Museum. They took this impressive 18th-century monstrance and ciborium (a box in which to store communicant) from Breslau as they were leaving the city after World War II. "The treasures have now returned to the city," says Jan Trzynadlowski.

The exhibitions features nearly 180 artefacts, including chalices, monstrances, salvers, censers, candle holders and reliquaries.

It is also worth having a look at Saint Dorothy's Herm (15th century), which was originally stored in the Town Hall's chapel, Saint Helen's Herm, which features remnants of True Cross, and Saint Vincent's Reliquary, which contains a fraction of the saint's cranium. "Saint Vincent's Reliquary is put on display once a year to celebrate Wroclaw's Metropolitan Chapter Day," says Father Paweł Cembrowicz, parish priest at Saint John the Baptist's Cathedral.

The exhibition also features a beautifully ornamented cross that was once used by Bishop Andreas Jerin, the founder of the main altarpiece in the Cathedral. Other artefacts include an elaborate cover of the book belonging to the Wroclaw Dominican Fraternity, a Jesuit thurible, vessels for holy water and a 16th-century lavabo.

"May of these artefacts are still used for religious service," says Father Cembrowicz. "We have only showcased the most treasured ones, which exemplify the history of Wroclaw and the local Diocese," he adds.

The exhibition at the Museum of the Bourgeois Art is open to the public until the end of April.