Dominicans and Franciscans in Warka. The religious and social context of monastic foundations

Abstract

The mendican Orders, Dominicans and Franciscans, played a significant religious, economic, and cultural role over the past centuries at Warka in Mazovia. The foundation of the Dominican monastery was historically linked to the person of Duke Siemowit I. The Warka Dominican monastery, founded in the middle of the 13th century, next to the monasteries of St Dominic in Płock and of St Nicholas at Sochaczew belonging to the Mazovian contrat, is considered one of the oldest foundations of this order in Poland. In the mid-17th century, the Franciscans were brought to Warka. The foundress of the monastery was Katarzyna of Boglewice Trzebińska. With their presence, the Franciscans contributed to the religious revival of the town.