Church of St. John (Kosciol sw. Jana) description and photos - Poland: Gdansk (Topic)

Church of St. John (Kosciol sw. Jana) description and photos - Poland: Gdansk. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The name in English is Kosciol sw. Jana.

Photo and description

St. John's Church is a Gothic church located in Gdansk. One of the most important monuments in the city.

The first mention of the small wooden chapel of St. Nicholas dates back to 1358. In 1360, construction began on a new three-nave church on the site of the previous one. The work was completed at the beginning of the 15th century, but the builders left room for the tower, which was planned to be built in the future. In 1415 a new altar was created. In 1456, Bishop John MacArthur divided the city into six parishes, and St. John's Church became a parish. In 1465 the church of St. John received the star vaults. In 1543, the bell tower was destroyed by fire.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, patrons of art financed the construction of a total of 13 altars in the church. In 1612, the most beautiful stone altar by Abraham van der Block was built, which has survived to this day.

During the Second World War, the church burned down. In the post-war years, St. John's Church was not included in the list of buildings in need of planned reconstruction. Most of the surviving things were transferred to the Church of St. Mary in Gdansk. Reconstruction of the facades of the church began in the late 1960s, inside the church remained in ruins.

In 1991, the church was transferred to the Catholic diocese, after which Sunday and festive services began to be held here. In 1996, a thorough reconstruction of the church began: repair and reinforcement of the outer walls, internal work, as well as archaeological excavations.

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Topic: Church of St. John (Kosciol sw. Jana) description and photos - Poland: Gdansk.