Cathedral of St John the Baptist
Wroclaw, Poland
One of Wrocław’s most enduring icons, the elegant double-spires of this Gothic building stands like a sentinels at the end of ul. Katedralna, and its elaborate portal one of the most valuable medieval artefacts in Wrocław. What we see today is in fact the fourth church to be built on this site. When construction began in 1244, this was the first brick building in Poland. Cathedral-building being what it is, work continued for five more centuries. The centrepiece of the rich, Gothic interior is the altarpiece, painted in Lublin in 1522, showing the Virgin Mary having a nap. You’ll also see the largest organ in Poland, which prior to the war was also the largest in the world. The real highlight of the Cathedral, however, is the panoramic view from one of its towers, which can be yours for 5zł during the warm months (October should still be okay); unlike the arduous climbs required for Wrocław's other church towers, here an elevator takes you to the top where you'll find a small exhibition in addition to the wonderful views.
Cathedral of St John the Baptist
Wroclaw, Poland
One of Wrocław’s most enduring icons, the elegant double-spires of this Gothic building stands like a sentinels at the end of ul. Katedralna, and its elaborate portal one of the most valuable medieval artefacts in Wrocław. What we see today is in fact the fourth church to be built on this site. When construction began in 1244, this was the first brick building in Poland. Cathedral-building being what it is, work continued for five more centuries. The centrepiece of the rich, Gothic interior is the altarpiece, painted in Lublin in 1522, showing the Virgin Mary having a nap. You’ll also see the largest organ in Poland, which prior to the war was also the largest in the world. The real highlight of the Cathedral, however, is the panoramic view from one of its towers, which can be yours for 5zł during the warm months (October should still be okay); unlike the arduous climbs required for Wrocław's other church towers, here an elevator takes you to the top where you'll find a small exhibition in addition to the wonderful views.