Symbols in the Urban Space of Częstochowa as a Message of Art, Values and Tradition
Abstract
Częstochowa is a city located in the Silesian Voivodeship, its origin dates back to the eleventh century. It received the town rights in 1356. It is the largest religious cult centre in Poland, which in 2022 attracted 2.5 million people from all over the world. The Pilgrims’ goal was Jasna Góra. It is an academic city, a developing centre of culture and art. The article is devoted to both historical and contemporary objects of Częstochowa, which the most important value is their symbolic dimension. The author presented religious, architectural and artistic objects that commemorate important figures in the history of the city related to literature, theatre, painting, sculpture and social activities for the benefit of residents. The subject of the research is the analysis in terms of transformations of contemporary meanings and symbols, the space of one of the most famous urban arteries, which is the Avenue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The subject of the research concerns the analysis of examples of artistic objects located in the main artery of the city and the adjacent Old Market Square located in the district called the Old Town, which is used by not only the residents and tourists, but also the crowds of domestic and foreign pilgrims heading to the Jasna Góra sanctuary. Art has also found its place in this urban space, which was considered a good background and stage for artistic activities in the form of e.g. sculptures, monuments and murals commemorating the work of artists, thus creating a space for reflection, emotions and memories. The article ends with the considerations whether in modern times it is possible to combine the desire to create modern public space with the maintaining historical continuity and undeniable urban values.
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