At the end of the 13th century, Górzyca was the seat of the Bishops of Lubusz, with the cathedral of Holy Virgin Mary and later also a Marian sanctuary. Margrave John of Kostrzyn, a devoted Protestant, had the sanctuary demolished in 1551 and placed all items of value into his private vault. During the demolition of the sanctuary, the picture of the Holy Virgin was destroyed which was said to have had miraculous properties and was a popular destination for pilgrimages. Today, Górzyca is a small but lively town, recognised in recent years for its economic success.