Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel and St. Florian the Martyr — Attraction in Warsaw

🇵🇱 St. Florian's Cathedral, more formally known as the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel and St. Florian the Martyr (Polish: Katedra Świętego Michała Archanioła i Świętego Floriana), is a Catholic church and historic landmark at ul. Floriańska 3 (St. Florian's Street) in eastern Warsaw. The 75-meter towers of St. Florian’s Cathedral dominate eastern Warsaw's Praga district and highlight the cathedral’s role as a form of protest against the erstwhile Russian domination of Poland.

🇵🇱 There has been a Catholic church presence in or around the site of the future church since 1583, but the impetus for creating a lasting and substantial church did not arrive until the late 19th century. The map of Europe was redrawn during the Congress of Vienna and the resulting territorial maneuvers placed the Duchy of Warsaw under the control of the Russian Empire, transforming it into the Congress Poland. Among other intrusions, over twenty Russian Orthodox churches were built in Poland. To protest against the perceived imposition of a foreign church, and in direct reaction to the monumental Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene built down the street, St Florian’s was built with two commanding 75-meter (250-foot) towers between 1897-1904. The church is named after St. Florian, the patron saint of professions associated with fire, such as firefighters, steelworkers, chimney sweeps, potters and bakers.

🇵🇱 During and after the Siege of Warsaw, churches were used as a hiding place for Jews, the Warsaw Army (Armia Warszawa) and as a general refuge for civilians. St. Florian's was destroyed by the Germans as they withdrew from Poland in 1944 after the Warsaw Uprising. The church remained in ruins for several years, but by the 1950s a reconstruction effort slowly began with support from Praga residents. The rebuilt church was...

The Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel and St. Florian the Martyr, also known as Parafia Katedralna pw. Św. Michała Archanioła i Św. Floriana Męczennika w Warszawie, is a prominent Roman Catholic cathedral located in Warsaw, Poland. Its history dates back to the 14th century when a Gothic church was constructed on the site. Over the centuries, the cathedral underwent various renovations and expansions, including a Baroque reconstruction in the 18th century.

During World War II, the cathedral was heavily damaged and almost completely destroyed. However, it was painstakingly rebuilt in the post-war years, and its restoration became a symbol of the resilience and faith of the Polish people.

The cathedral holds immense historical and cultural significance as it has witnessed numerous important events throughout Polish history. It has served as the coronation site for Polish monarchs and the final resting place of notable figures, including national heroes, bishops, and statesmen.

Today, the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel and St. Florian the Martyr stands as a magnificent example of Polish religious architecture, blending elements of Gothic and Baroque styles. It continues to be a place of worship, a popular tourist attraction, and an enduring symbol of Poland's rich...

When I visited the church there was a very interesting exhibition of photos doing a tribute to the children victims of the Second World War. Unfortunately the photo notes were only in Polish, although most of the images spoke for themselves..... St Florian's is built in a Gothic Revival style distinguished by two twenty-story towers. Most of its exterior is made of red brick. Over the entrances are mosaic depictions of Jesus Christ and the emblem of the first bishop of Warsaw-Praga, Kazimierz Romaniuk, while the interior is decorated in red or white plaster and brick. History tells us that........ churches were used as a hiding place for Jews, the Warsaw Army (Armia Warszawa) and as a general refuge for civilians. St. Florian's was destroyed by the Germans as they withdrew from Poland in 1944 after the Warsaw Uprising. The church remained in ruins for several years, but fortunately by the 1950s a reconstruction effort slowly began. And finally the rebuilt church was...