St. Mary's Church in Gdańsk, official name is the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is the largest brick building in the world. It took the builders 159 years to create this giant, which was built in stages as the technical possibilities and wealth of the urban community of believers increased.
Some historical information about St. Mary's Basilica
The construction period was between 1343 and 1502
The interiors of the church is big enough for at least 20 thousand persons. It does not, however, reflect the needs of the times of its construction but more of a demonstration of wealth, as the total number of Gdańsk’s residents was only twice as many as the capacity of the church. The huge construction made of dark red brick rises over the sea of house roofs and the bulky 82-metre-high tower with its flat roof is the highest building in Gdańsk.
Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, photo: Pomorskie Travel
The church was erected as catholic. From the first half of the 16th Century to 1945 it served evangelicals, and they left the most interesting elements of interior decoration well furnished with gothic altars and paintings. The church which survived the wartime demolition of the historical centre of Gdansk, has lost most of its embellishments, so it seems quite empty, but also impressive with the size of its aisles and regular white pillars and ceilings.
Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, photo: Pomorskie Travel
The interior design and monuments of the church
Despite substantial losses during the war a collection of gothic altars can be seen in St. Mary’s Church, with the main golden altar in the centre depicting the coronation of St Mary and many biblical scenes. The astronomical clock located in the northern transept is very impressive, being a piece of art and a monument to medieval technique. Stories about the grudge of its creator and the curse on anybody trying to mend it can be heard next to the clock.
The ‘Beautiful Madonna’ is irresistible and has to be admired as a late Gothic statue of a golden-haired and slightly smiling mother with a small child in her arms. As the legend says, the statue was created over one night in a prison cell by a sculptor’s apprentice who was sentenced to death unjustly and then miraculously saved from the persecution.
Astronomical clock, photo: Pomorskie.Travel
Numerous epitaphs, a baptismal font, a copy of Hans Memling’s Last Judgment, Tablet X of the Commandments, a Gothic pieta, an organ, and a crucifixion group – all of this can be found inside.
Tower of St. Mary's Basilica
It is worth climbing its 82-meter tower, which is also the church’s bell tower. There is a narrow corridor leading to the viewpoint towards which we will be heading. A small entrance area with a winding staircase with 409 steps. From time to time, there are small windows near the outer wall that provide light and niches that can be used for rest.
Every few meters there is also information about the height already climbed. After traveling about halfway (about 190-200 steps), the space increases and the further path is much easier and much clearer. It is definitely worth climbing them, because at the top of the tower there is a small terrace, showing a vast panorama and all the beauty of Gdańsk and the surrounding area.
Pieta in St. Mary's Basilica, photo: Pomorskie Travel
