The wide variety of colours, shapes and sizes of pavers available means that this building material is successfully used in places of worship. The church, together with its surrounding squares and pavements, often serves as a prestigious meeting place, hosting both large-scale celebrations and small family gatherings. Regardless of the size of the parish, the area around the church should fulfil its purpose – it should be safe, solid and carefully constructed. It is precisely these considerations that often determine the use of pavers to finish the areas around the church. Thanks to them, the squares take on a completely new look whilst adhering to the standards appropriate for such a place. A superb example of a project combining tradition with a modern and durable form is the area around the historic Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Grabie (Archdiocese of Kraków).
Closer to nature
The church in Grabie is a small sanctuary built entirely of wood, whose centuries-old history is intuitively apparent. To ensure the unique charm of this place was not compromised, pavers were required for the area around the church that would emphasise its beauty without unnecessary embellishments. It was decided that the ‘Polbruk’ pavers Petra from the range at Polbruk would be ideal for this purpose. Why? The texture, shape and colour scheme of these pavers echo the characteristics of natural stone, allowing them to blend perfectly into the atmosphere of such a unique place. Thanks to their warm brown tones, the pavers complement the wood beautifully, creating a visually pleasing, balanced design, enhanced by the unusual and original shape of the stones.
Divine geometry
Another site worth noting in this context is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Consolation in Jodłówka near Przemyśl. This small brick church with its distinctive façade required a different type of paver to be used in front of the building. This time, the choice fell on one of the most versatile and commonly used pavers Polbruk Avanti with a washed texture and trapezoidal shape. Thanks to this paver, the designers managed to create a harmonious and timeless entrance to the church, which will serve the congregation for years to come. Avanti is a premium paver, characterised by the use of the finest aggregates, stylised, and offering the greatest scope for adapting the product to the end user’s needs. The wide range of applications for this paver is also evidenced by the fact that it was used in another church project – in Baranów, where Avanti pavers in the same yellow colour were used, here found in the public space belonging to the church.
Churches must be ready to welcome many worshippers, and the church entrance serves as a kind of showcase, often appearing in photographs on various occasions. It is no wonder that church administrators want these to be representative spaces. An undeniable advantage of pavers is their ability to be adapted to the appearance of any building. This product works well as a backdrop, perfectly complementing the atmosphere of the place of worship. This is also evident in the development in front of the Church of Our Lady of Fatima in Ostrów Wielkopolski. This church was completed in the 21st century, meaning it is an example of modern architectural thinking. The square and the path leading to the church have been paved with rectangular Trento pavers in shades of grey, which harmonise perfectly with the modern façade, creating a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing design.
