The Hussars still watch over Vienna. The white and red flags flying on the day of the triumph that saved the freedom of the whole of Europe inspire successive generations of Poles to this day.
One of the greatest military and political successes in European history was the triumph of Jan III Sobieski at Vienna. At that time our hussars stopped the flood of Turkish invasion. However, Poland is still struggling to cherish this symbol and to remind people of the events at Kahlenberg.
On 12 September 1683 the combined Polish and Austro-German armies, under the command of Polish king Jan III Sobieski, defeated the Turkish army besieging Vienna under the command of Grand Vizier Kara Mustafa. A significant role in the victory was played by the Polish hussars' attack carried out from the Kahlenberg hill. Christian Europe defending itself against the Islamic invaders could breathe easier. "Venimus, vidimus et Deus vicit" (We came, we saw and God won) - wrote the Polish king to Pope Innocent XI, sending the captured flag of the Prophet.
It is our duty to keep reminding about these events and their heroes. Following Pope John Paul II in paying homage to Kahlenberg, in 2001, the Polish Sejm passed a resolution on the National Foundation for Kahlenberg, whose aim is, among other things, to help maintain the Polish St Joseph's Church. It was built in the 17th century and originally belonged to the Camaldolese order. The temple was destroyed by the Tatars in 1683. Before the Battle of Vienna, Holy Mass was celebrated on the hill by Marco d'Aviano, in which King John III participated. After the battle the church was rebuilt, but its history was complicated and during the Napoleonic wars it was destroyed again, only to regain its splendor again. Since 1906 it has been looked after by the Polish Resurrectionist Order.
The Sejm's resolution confirms that Kahlenberg is for Poles a unique symbol of victory, hope, faith and love of freedom. Outside the Polish borders it is a National Shrine of Patriotism, uniting Poles from home and abroad. As such, this place should be given special care and preserved for future generations.
5 August 2017. Sejm Speaker Marek Kuchcinski met with Father Roman Krekora, rector of St. Joseph Church.
- This is a wonderful piece of Polish land, a trace of proud history, a place that is also extremely important for Christianity,' explains the Rector.
- Kahlenberg should also be a shrine important for the whole of Europe, which owes much to the bravery of the Polish weapon. We must explain to the next generations of Europeans that Polish troops in the past did not hesitate to die for common Christian values', explains Marshal Kuchciński, at the same time declaring his personal support for the popularization of the National Foundation for Kahlenberg.
Resolution on the National Foundation for Kahlenberg
text: M. Olejnik
On Kahlenberg in front of St. Joseph's Church with Rector Marian Krekora
On the facade of the church, plaques from the left: John III Sobieski, John Paul II, Józef Piłsudski
