Basilica of st. Bridget — Attraction in Gdansk

A remarkable historical and cultural site that intertwines Poland’s rich religious heritage with its modern history.

Originally established in the late 14th century, the church was built to honor St. Bridget of Sweden, whose relics rested in Gdańsk during their journey from Rome to Vadstena in 1374. This event spurred the establishment of the Bridgettine Order’s presence in the city.  

The church suffered extensive damage during World War II, leaving it in ruins until reconstruction efforts began in the 1970s. Today, it stands not only as a place of worship but also as a symbol of resilience and national identity. During the 1980s, St. Bridget’s Church became a sanctuary for the Solidarity movement, providing support and refuge during a pivotal time in Poland’s path to freedom.   

One of the church’s most captivating features is the ongoing construction of the Amber Altar, a monumental piece that, upon completion, will be one of the largest amber artworks in the world. The altar includes figures of significant religious and national figures, such as the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Bridget of Sweden, and Pope Saint John Paul II, and incorporates amber, silver, and gold elements contributed by parishioners and visitors. The altar serves as a tribute to divine providence and Poland’s regained independence.  

Visitors can also explore the recently discovered Crypt of Skulls, unearthed in 2010 during renovation work. The crypt contains human remains believed to date back to the 17th century, offering a poignant glimpse into the church’s long and complex history. 

St. Bridget’s Church is open to visitors daily, with extended hours on Sundays. Admission fees are modest, and guided tours are available for those interested in delving deeper into the church’s rich past. Whether you’re drawn by its historical significance, architectural beauty, or spiritual atmosphere, a visit to St. Bridget’s Church offers a profound and enriching...

Not the biggest or highest like the St. Mary Basilica in the old town, St. Brigitte was the most beautiful Church we saw over 5 days in northern Poland. Church was built in the middle of 14c as a small Chapel dedicated to St. Mary. Some 20y after, a funeral procession of late St. Brigitte was passing through Gdansk from Rome to her resting place in Sweden. People of Gdansk paid their respects and accommodated the procession for some time. After that the Church was enlarged, a monastery added and renamed to St. Brigitte.

The Church interior is rich and nicely decorated, contrary to other Polish Churches which are mainly whitewashed due to WWII devastations and lootings. On the right hand side there're several chapels, but two of them drew my attention: first, one dedicated to infamous Katyn massacre in 1940, when Soviets killed more than 20.000 people when they occupied eastern Poland and second, dedicated to Solidarnost movement and their victims to Communist oppression. In the crypt is an ossuary.

But, the main star is a newly added, in 2000 - huge and magnificent Amber altar. It's the biggest piece of amber art, with Our Lady protecting the working people in the center, dedicated to Dec 1970 shipyard uprising victims. Around are other saints, leaves and decorations, all made in different shades and colors -...

An event that had a significant impact on the history of St. Bridget's Church was the strikes in August 1980 when the church became a center for pastoral care for the striking workers. After the declaration of martial law on December 13, 1981, St. Bridget's Church, under the leadership of the then-parish priest, Father Henryk Jankowski, became an important point of resistance against the communist regime and a place of support for the banned "Solidarity" movement and its members. Among those who found help at the rectory were Lech Wałęsa, Tadeusz Mazowiecki, Jacek Kuroń, Adam Michnik, Bronisław Geremek, Andrzej Gwiazda, Marek Jurek, and Father Jerzy Popiełuszko.

St. Bridget's Church, perceived as the "Church of Solidarity," gathered people who had a significant influence on the history of the world at that time. Among them were: United States Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush, German President Richard von Weizsäcker, French President François Mitterrand, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, British Princess Anne, Senator Ted Kennedy and his family, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, and many ambassadors...