St. Catherine's Church
St. Catherine's Church in Gdańsk
Polish: Kościół rektorski pw. św. Katarzyny w Gdańsku
St. Catherine's Church in Gdańsk
church in 2012, after repairs
54°21′15″N 18°39′05″E / 54.35417°N 18.65139°E / 54.35417; 18.65139
LocationGdańsk
CountryPoland
DenominationRoman Catholic
Previous denominationLutheran
Websitewww.gdansk.karmelici.pl
History
StatusChurch
FoundedXIIIc.
DedicationSt. Catherine of Alexandria
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Stylebrick gothic
Completed1227–1239
Specifications
Length61.5 m
Spire height76 m
MaterialsBrick
Bells50 (carillion)
Administration
ArchdioceseRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Gdańsk
St Catherine's in the 1770s

St Catherine's Church (Polish: Kościół św. Katarzyny, German: Katharinenkirche) is the oldest church in Gdańsk, Poland. Though building began in the 1220s, it experienced many renovations and additions to reach its full size.[1] The Gothic-style design includes chappels, a high gable roof, a square floor plan, vaults, and more.[2] It was a Protestant church from 1545 until the end of World War II in 1945, after which it returned to the Catholic Church.

The 14th century building includes Hevelius' tomb, due to his dedication to his role as church administrator.[3] It was once the parish church of the Old Town.

It houses the world's first pulsar clock (since 2011), the Museum of Turret Clocks (part of the Museum of Gdańsk) and previously (2000-2006) an art gallery (in its attic). The 76 meter baroque tower houses a 49-bell carillon, which chimes on the hour, every hour, since the 50th anniversary of the outbreak of WWII.[4]

In 2006 it suffered a major fire, resulting in the collapse of the roof.

References

  1. ↑ "St Catherine's Church | Gdańsk, Poland | Attractions". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  2. ↑ "Gdańsk - St Catherine's Church". Ancient and medieval architecture. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  3. ↑ Magazine, Smithsonian; Landau, Elizabeth. "The 17th-Century Astronomer Who Made the First Atlas of the Moon". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  4. ↑ "St. Catherine's Church | Sightseeing | Gdańsk". www.inyourpocket.com. Retrieved 2023-06-01.

Media related to Saint Catherine church in Gdańsk at Wikimedia Commons


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.