St. Catherine's Church — Attraction in Gdansk

It's not as grand as the nearby St. Brigid's Basilica, but it's still a major part of Gdańsk's religious, cultural, and architectural heritage.

It's also where the famous 17th-century astronomer Johannes Hevelius is buried, which adds to its cultural and scientific significance (there's a nearby square, sun watch and statue dedicated to him).

The church has a famous carillon tower with 49 bells, which plays both automatically and through live performances.

The history of this church is very long and it burned down several times (e.g. in 1905 after being struck by lightning) but it was always rebuilt again. The church suffered significant damage during World War II but has been meticulously restored, preserving its architectural and historical legacy

St. Catherine's Church in Gdańsk has a long history, going back to the early days of Christianity in Poland. According to historian Andrzej Januszajtis, the first religious structure on the site may have been built around 997, possibly linked to the missionary work of St. Adalbert. Archaeological evidence from a 1986 dig supported this theory, with the discovery of 10th-century burials with wooden coffins.

The second church on the site was built in 1185 under Duke Subisław, although some researchers, like Willi Drost, believe the current basilica-style structure was built between 1230 and 1240. By 1227, the church was already up and running, as the records of the priest William show. Archaeological research from 1956 confirmed the 13th-century foundations and showed that the area was important for trade, as evidenced by the discovery of large utility vessels.

St. Catherine's Church became the city's main place of worship, with its patron saint being recognised as early as 1271. Although it's not clear when it was built (wood or brick), historical mentions from the 13th and 14th centuries show how important it was in Gdańsk's...

St. Catherine's Church (Kościół św. Katarzyny) is the oldest church in Gdańsk, Poland, with origins dating back to the 1220s. Over the centuries, it has undergone numerous renovations and additions, resulting in its current Gothic architectural style.​

Historical Significance

Founding and Development: Construction began in the 1220s, and the church evolved over the centuries, reaching its final form in the mid-15th century. ​ Lonely Planet

Religious Affiliation: From 1545 until the end of World War II in 1945, St. Catherine's Church served as a Protestant place of worship. ​

Notable Features:

The church houses the tomb of astronomer Johannes Hevelius, who also served as its church administrator. ​

Architectural Highlights

Tower and Carillon: The 76-meter tower is equipped with a 50-bell carillon, which chimes every hour. ​

Museum of Turret Clocks: The tower also contains a museum showcasing tower clock mechanisms dating back to the...

Currently under construction. We purchased tickets to attend a pianist concert as part of a local festival in August, called: "Chopin & Friends Candlelight Concerts – Piano Concerts in Gdańsk." The website and posters all have loads of candles surrounding a piano in a gorgeous church. Reality: There were a few battery candle lights near the piano (not surrounding it) which in no way lit up the piano or looked anything like the advertisement against a backdrop of walls of floor to ceiling opaque plastic sheeting. We expected to see the church, enjoy a dimly lit pianist play lovely music. This was far from reality. We left early. Two others planned on leaving not long after too. Very...