Walk in Gdańsk: Main Town
Bazylika Mariacka/Fot. Shutterstock
St. Mary's Church - the monumental Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is called the 'crown of the city of Gdańsk.' It is the largest brick Gothic church in Europe. The length of the building, including the buttresses of the tower is 105.5m; the vaults reach to 30m above the floor, and the tower measures 82 metres in height. The church is located in the Main Town, between the streets of ul. Piwna, Chlebnicka and Świętego Ducha. Its construction apparently began in 1243, but this has not been confirmed by archaeological research. Probably at that point there had been a wooden church, built by Prince Świętopełk II the Great, which was replaced in 1271 along with other churches in Gdańsk. The basilica was built in several stages over 159 years, from 1343 to 1502. It was gradually extended, partly under the supervision of the master bricklayer Henryk Ungeradin, who is also known for the construction of the Town Hall. In the years 1454-1466 the tower was raised, which was a symbol accenting the victory of Gdańskers over the Teutonic Order. Light pours into the church through 37 huge windows of various sizes, including only 2 which are stained glass windows and are new. Inside there are a staggering 29 chapels. During the fighting in March 1945, the wooden roof structures were destroyed, causing almost half the vaults to collapse, as well as the melting of some of the bells, including the largest one - the Gratia Dei - weighing 5300 kg and dating from 1543. It is now possible to see medieval and baroque works of art e.g. the Pieta stone from about 1410, a copy of the Last Judgement, painted by Hans Memling in 1472, the fifteenth-century Hans Düringer astronomical clock and the main altar, built in the years 1510 to 1517 by Master Michał of Augsburg. You can admire the city skyline from the viewing galleries in the watchtower. It stretches to almost 400 degrees! The Basilica also has access for blind people.