Legend of the Beautiful Madonna from Gdansk

The Beautiful Madonna is a Gothic statue that you can see in one of the side chapels of St. Mary's Basilica in Gdansk. It's not known who and when exactly created it. It's believed to originate from the early 15th century, making it about 600 years old! During World War II, the statue was bricked up in the church's basement.

The creation of the Beautiful Madonna is associated with one of the most popular legends of Gdansk. After the death of a wealthy potter, two apprentices: hardworking and good Paul, and lazy and rogue Zygfryd, both sought the hand of his beautiful wife, who had inherited a large fortune.

One night, Zygfryd decided to kill his rival. During the fight, he tripped and stabbed himself in the back. Nobody believed Paul when he told them about the accident. He was imprisoned and sentenced to death for murder.

In his cell, the apprentice prayed to the Virgin Mary for salvation, who one day appeared to him. She was so beautiful that the convict, as his "last wish", wanted to create her image. When the city authorities saw the figure he carved from sandstone, they decided to pardon him: after all, anyone who can create such beauty cannot be a murderer!

Paul was released, married the beautiful and wealthy widow. As it happens in legends (and not only): they lived happily ever after!

Gdansk, Beautiful Madonna - coloring page for kids to print

PS. The story of the Beautiful Madonna is on the route of our walk following the legends and stories of Gdansk:

Easy

directions_walk child_friendly

Visiting Gdańsk with children - a walk with legends

straighten 1.7km

timer 28min

north_east 22m

south_east 19m