St Mary's Church in Gdańsk

Locals call it the "Crown of Gdańsk". St Mary's Basilica, built in stages over more than 150 years (1346–1502), is the third-largest brick church in the world by volume, and its massive 82-metre tower rises above the rooftops of the Main Town. Inside you'll find medieval masterpieces, a 15th-century astronomical clock and, at the top of the tower, a viewing terrace.

History

Work on the present church began in the mid-14th century, and the design changed several times over the following decades. Master builder Henryk Ungeradin, who also built the Main Town Hall, led the work on the hall-type chancel and transept, and from 1485 Hans Brandt raised the nave. In 1498–1502 Henryk Hetzel covered the church with star, net and crystal vaults – the last keystone was set on 28 February 1502. After the Reformation the church served Lutherans for almost four centuries; Catholics only took it back after 1945. In 1945 the church burned, and rebuilding took more than a decade – around 200,000 roof tiles were laid. Since 1986 it has been a co-cathedral.

What to see

• The astronomical clock – built in 1464–1470 by Hans Düringer of Toruń. It is more than 14 m tall and has three levels: a calendar, a planetarium and a puppet theatre. The figure show takes place every day at 11:57, only once a day.
• The Beautiful Madonna and the Pietà – sculptures in the so-called Beautiful Style from 1410–1430.
• The Ten Commandments panel from the late 15th century and the high altar with the Coronation of the Virgin.
• A copy of Hans Memling's "Last Judgement" in St Reinhold's Chapel – the original triptych (1467–1473), the most valuable work linked to the church, has been in the National Museum in Gdańsk since 1956.
• The vaults – look up and you'll easily tell the star patterns from the "crystal" vaults with their sharp, concave cells. Light pours in through 37 windows, and 29 chapels fill the spaces between the buttresses.
• The Gratia Dei bell from 1970, weighing 7,850 kg.

The tower

Several hundred steps lead to the viewing terrace, but the view over the roofs of the Main Town, the medieval Crane and the Motława river makes the climb worthwhile. According to the basilica's website, the tower opens seasonally, in summer daily from 10:00; admission is PLN 20, reduced PLN 10 (as of October 2026). It may be closed during storms and in bad weather.

Tripto tip

According to the basilica's website (as of October 2026), the church is open to visitors on weekdays 8:30–17:30, and on Sundays and holidays 11:00–12:00 and 13:00–17:30; from 1 July to 31 August closing time is 18:30. Please don't walk around during Mass or other services. Plan to be at the clock at 11:57 and add time for the tower – about an hour in total. The best photo of the whole church is from Góra Gradowa hill, and the most atmospheric view of the façade is from Mariacka Street. Next to the basilica stands the Baroque Royal Chapel from the 17th century.