Churches & monasteries

St Mary Collegiate Church in Stargard

The Collegiate Church of Our Lady Queen of the World in Stargard is one of Western Pomerania’s most valuable monuments and a major example of Brick Gothic. The church closes the southern frontage of the medieval market square, while its tower rises 83.5 metres. See it both from the square and up close, where the façade details become legible.

A Brick Gothic masterpiece

Construction of the present church began around 1292. The three-nave basilica, ambulatory and ring of chapels combine the scale of a Hanseatic town church with details characteristic of Pomerania. Look for ceramic decoration, portals, the Stargard blind-arcade style and the triforium gallery in the presbytery. The interior preserves altars, epitaphs, wall paintings and stained glass.

History and restoration

The collegiate church grew from medieval Stargard’s wealth and influenced later churches in the region. In 2010 the church complex and medieval city walls were declared a Polish Monument of History. After wartime damage and extensive conservation, the church remains an active parish and a major part of the city’s heritage.

Practical information

The church is open to visitors Monday to Saturday, but hours and arrangements can change. Check the parish website for current details; for safety reasons the tower’s viewing terrace is currently closed. Allow 45–60 minutes for the exterior and interior. Include the church in a walk around Stargard’s old town and walls.