This towering gothic building, adjoining a former Franciscan monastery (now the National Museum), is among the best preserved buildings in the city. It was built in the 15th century and badly damaged during WWII. The altar is offset by a lofty whitewashed interior and the wide expanse of floor is c [...]

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Oliwa's towering Cathedral taking pride of place at the western end of Oliwa Park was originally built as a simple wooden structure in the 12th century, and it was only in 1224 that the brickwork was added. The year 1350 saw a half-wit kitchen boy accidentally start a fire that engulfed th [...]

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Most of the churches prior to WWII were protestant and those that were re-built were re-consecrated as Catholic places of worship. St. Bartholomew’s is now the place of worship for those of the Greek-Ukrainian branch of Catholicism and was given over to the community by the Bis [...]

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This 14th century brick church, the former parish church of the Old Town, was one of Gdańsk’s finest places of worship, that was until May 22, 2006 when a fire ripped through the church. Fire crews were on the scene within five minutes to tackle the blaze, apparently started on the roof by a workman’s discarded cigarette, but couldn’t prevent the ceiling from collapsing. No people were inside the church at the time of the fire, and most objects of historical value were saved in the nick of time. A lot of work has been done although restoration is still ongoing, and estimated to last for another two or three years. For the time being visitors will have to make do with gawping at the main hall alone. The 76 metre baroque church tower houses a 49-bell carillon, which has chimed on the hour - every hour - since the 50th anniversary of the outbreak of WWII in 1939 and was not damaged in the fire, and St Catherine's is also the final resting place of Gdańsk astronomer Johannes Hevelius. [...]

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This red-brick church close to the Holiday Inn and train station has by religious standards quite an ordinary history. Originally built in the late 15th century as a church and monastery in the name of The Mother of God the Most Holy Virgin and Sts Elijah & Elisha, it was destroyed during religious fighting in the 1670s. The monks were then evicted in 1835 and it became the parish church of St. Joesph in 1840. It is in 1945 that the most tragic chapter of the church' s history was written. The Red Army having taken the city locked the doors of the church trapping around 100 people who were taking shelter inside and proceeded to burn the building killing all those inside. With the war over, the church was rebuilt as a church for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and serves the Catholic community today. Note this is very much a functioning church, and as such it's open on Sunday but only for those wishing to attend mass. If that's not your cup of tea then you'll have to make do with visiting the chapel, open daily from 06:00 to 18:00 (no talking!).
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St. Mary's in the Old Town is believed to be the largest brick church in the world, though frankly right now it looks like the largest scaffolding construction in the world. The interior vault supports 37 windows, over 300 tombstones and 31 chapels. It can hold up to 25,000 people, which was useful during the period of martial law between 1981 and 1983 when members of the Solidarity movement sought refuge here. The church can be accessed through seven gates with intriguing names like the Purse Maker's Door. Interestingly, the sculptor who carved the crucifix of Christ nailed his errant son-in-law to a cross so as to add realism to his work. St. Mary's was seriously damaged during WWII and the original frescoes have since been whitewashed, which far from leaving an impression of stark emptiness bring out the best in the relics throughout and creating a marvellous feeling. Of note is the enormous astronomical clock dating from 1464. Its complex dials show the time and date, phases of the moon, the position of the moon and sun in relation to the zodiac signs, and the calendar of saints. Adam and Eve ring the bell on the hour. According to legend, the clock's creator had his eyes gouged out so he'd never make a clock to better than this one. You'll hear this story about every astronomical clock in Europe, and it makes you wonder why medieval clockmakers ever accepted commissions. The 78 metre tower houses a viewing platform, though it'll be closed until March, 2009.
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