Formerly Black Madonna
At the very back of the church is the so-called “Black Madonna”. Dating back to the 16th century, this wooden statue had sported coal-black skin until the latest round of restoration, which discovered it was… soot. Centuries of soot and smoke. She wasn’t supposed to look like that. But now some people are disappointed by the change, and some scholars are saying the restoration went too far. But I agree with those who say we shouldn’t get nostalgic about dirt and grime and, as unbeliever as I am, the interior looks amazing and uplifting.
