The creation and architectural transformation of the parish church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Żary from the early 13th to late 17th century

This article presents architectural transformations in the parish church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (originally the Blessed Virgin Mary) in Żary. The church is one of themost interesting brick churches in the borderland between Silesia and Lusatia. Unfortunately, the church has featured very little in the literature, and only its non-extant Romanesque west arm is discussed. Based on the scant written sources, and the results of architectural researchand archaeological excavations, the author discusses the formation and transformation of the parish church from the 13th century to the end of the 17th century. The Romanesque chancel and choir were built in the 13th century. The Gothic reconstruction of the choir was completed in 1309 and of the western arm in 1401. The next significant construction took place in the second half of the 17th century, when the Promnitz funeral chapel was built next to the choir and galleries were built in the aisles