Cathedral of the Assumption in Gorzów Wielkopolski

At the top of the high altar in Gorzów cathedral, a whale swallows the prophet Jonah, a scene rarely found in Polish churches. It is just one detail of the oldest building in Gorzów Wielkopolski: a brick church from the late 13th century that served Protestants for more than 400 years, became a cathedral in 1945 and almost lost its tower in a fire in 2017. If you are exploring Gorzów, the cathedral on ul. Obotrycka is the best place to start.

History: from the Eleven Thousand Virgins to a cathedral

The church was built in the late 13th century as the town's parish church, originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the Eleven Thousand Holy Virgins. Patronage was held first by the town, from 1299 by the collegiate chapter in Myślibórz, then by the Teutonic Order and the Electors of Brandenburg. The chancel was added in 1489, and in 1621 the tower was raised and given a Baroque cupola.

From 1537 to 1945 the church was Protestant. The Reformation led to the removal of 16 of the 17 medieval altars, so little of the original furnishings survives. On 12 December 1945 the church became a cathedral, and in 1953–1956 its interior was adapted for Catholic worship. In 1997 Pope John Paul II prayed here at the grave of Bishop Wilhelm Pluta.

The 2017 tower fire

On 1 July 2017 fire broke out in the tower. The spire and cupola were removed for the time being, and the cathedral was closed to worshippers during the repairs. Bishop Tadeusz Lityński celebrated the first Mass in the restored church on 1 February 2021. The parish website tells the story of the rebuilding in its section on the history of the tower.

What to see inside

• The high altar from around 1600, a Renaissance-Mannerist triptych (originally a polyptych): the Last Supper in the predella, the Crucifixion above and Jonah in the whale's mouth at the top. The figures of the twelve apostles in the wings come from an earlier altar.
• The late Gothic Crucifixion group from the 15th century on the rood beam, the oldest item in the church.
• The organ, the largest in the Gorzów area, with about 2,300 pipes.
• The tombs of bishops Wilhelm Pluta and Teodor Bensch.

Did you know?

• Four bells cast in 1921 in Apolda hang in the tower: Modlitewny ("Prayer", 4,000 kg), Faith, Hope and Love, together weighing about 7,500 kg.
• Until 2017 the tower also held the Ave Maria bell from 1498. It was struck by lightning in 1708, which left damage several dozen centimetres long and broke off its crown, so it has been silent for more than three hundred years. Today it is on display in the Gorzów museum.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Obotrycka 10, 66-400 Gorzów Wielkopolski, tel. +48 95 722 33 58.
• Mass times: weekdays 7:00, 8:00 and 18:00; Sundays 7:30, 9:00, 10:30, 12:00, 15:00 and 18:00.
• Parish office: Monday and Thursday 11:00–12:00 and 16:00–17:00.

Tripto tip

Visit the interior between Masses and do not take photos during services. 30–45 minutes is enough for a relaxed look around. The parish website does not list separate visiting hours or rules for climbing the tower, so if you want more than the interior, phone ahead. The cathedral stands in the centre, a few steps from the Old Market Square, so it is easy to combine with a walk along the Warta river.