The Black Madonna

The Black Madonna, painting and icon in the chapel of the Virgin Mary in the fortified Baroque Pauline monastery of Jasna Góra, in Częstochowa, Poland, that has been venerated by Christians for some 600 years. The Black Madonna is an exceptionally beautiful symbolic painting of the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus. Mary and Jesus are dark-skinned, and their crowns, halos, and robes are elaborately decorated.

The artist and the age of the painting are unknown. Legend has it that it was painted in the 6th century by St. Luke, though art historians believe that it is more likely a Byzantine creation that dates to the 12th–14th century. Historical documents dating to the late 15th century indicate that The Black Madonna traveled from Constantinople to the town of Belz in Ukraine, where it was acquired by the duke of Opole, who took it to Jasna Góra. It arrived there at about the time of the monastery’s founding in 1382.

The Black Madonna is credited with numerous miracles. One legend surrounds the “scars” on the painting of Mary’s face. The story goes that in 1430 Hussites attacked the monastery and tried to steal the painting, slashing it with their swords when their horses refused to move. No attempt at repairing the damage was successful. The most significant miracle attributed to The Black Madonna is the saving of the monastery from the Swedish invasion and siege of 1655, for which she was acclaimed queen and protector of Poland by King John II Casimir Vasa in 1656. The Black Madonna was later credited with defeating a Russian attack in 1920.

The shrine devoted to this icon is believed to be the most popular one in Poland. It was particularly venerated by Pope John Paul II and by labor activist and political leader Lech Wałęsa. The icon is unveiled twice a day for the many visitors, and thousands visit on August 26, the icon’s feast day.