St. Mary's Church, Gdansk (must see)

Saint Mary's Church is one of the largest brick churches in the world. Construction began in 1343 and continued for more than 150 years. It is often called the “Crown of Gdansk” because of its commanding presence over the old town. Built primarily from red brick in the Northern Gothic style, the church is an immense hall church with aisles and a transept, measuring roughly 105 meters in length. The current structure began taking shape in 1379 under architect Heinrich Ungeradin, while the tower and major structural elements were completed by the late 15th century. Its exterior is marked by stepped gables, pointed windows, and a massive square tower.

Between 1536 and 1572, it was shared by Catholics and Lutherans, and from the late 16th century until 1945 it became one of the largest Lutheran churches in the world. Since the end of World War II, it has returned to Catholic use. The building suffered heavy wartime damage, but restoration began in 1946 and gradually returned the church to its historic form.

Inside, visitors encounter a vast and light-filled interior supported by vaulted ceilings and slender columns. To orient yourself, enter through the main western doors. One of the most remarkable features, the astronomical clock created in 1467 by Hans Düringer, stands along the northern wall of the nave, slightly forward of the midpoint. Continuing forward along the central aisle toward the eastern end of the church brings you to the main altar. Around this area and along the side aisles, you will also find chapels and memorials linked to merchant families, each marked by distinct decorative elements and inscriptions.

Another important highlight is the stone Pietà dating from around 1410, one of the church’s notable medieval sculptures. To find it, move toward the southern side aisle, where it is placed within one of the chapels near the wall. Nearby chapels and altars contain additional medieval artwork. For the tower climb, look for the entrance near the northern side of the church, close to one of the side aisles. A staircase leads upward to the observation platform. At the top, visitors are rewarded with wide views over Gdansk.