Churches & monasteries

St Mary's Basilica in Gdańsk

St Mary’s Basilica in Gdańsk is one of the world’s largest brick churches and one of the key monuments of the Main Town. Built in stages between 1346 and 1502, it contains a vast, austere interior with works from the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods. A visit combines the church with the astronomical clock show and the tower panorama.

Highlights inside

In the spacious brick interior, look for the Beautiful Madonna of Gdańsk, the Coronation of the Virgin Mary altarpiece, the Pietà and the Tablet of the Ten Commandments. The best-known object is the astronomical clock from the 1460s. Its figural theatre is shown every day at 11:57, only once daily, so time your visit carefully.

Tower and panorama

Hundreds of steps lead to the tower, where the reward is a view over the roofs of the Main Town, the Crane and the Motława. From July to September the tower is open daily 10:00–18:00, and in July and August until 20:00 according to the basilica’s information; last admission is at 18:00 or 20:00 respectively. It may close in storms or bad weather. The donation brick costs 20 zł or 10 zł reduced.

Practical information

The basilica is open for sightseeing all year: weekdays 8:30–17:30, extended to 18:30 from 1 July to 31 August; Sundays and solemnities 11:00–12:00 and 13:00–17:30, extended to 18:30 in summer. Do not visit during Masses or liturgies. The section containing the Chapel of the Merciful Jesus is excluded from sightseeing. Allow about an hour for the church, clock and tower.