Gdańsk-Oliwa Archcathedral Basilica

Oliwa Archcathedral, located in Gdańsk-Oliwa, is a Roman Catholic archcathedral church belonging to the Archdiocese of Gdańsk. It is an important cultural monument, inscribed on the List of Historic Monuments on November 23, 2017. The history of the archcathedral dates back to 1186, when the Pomeranian Duke Sambor I established a branch of the Cistercian monastery. Over the centuries, the church was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, including due to fires, wartime devastation, and the dissolution of the monastery in 1831. In 1992, Pope John Paul II elevated the church to the rank of an archcathedral. The architecture of the cathedral is an example of a three-nave basilica with a transept and a polygonal chancel. The facade is adorned with two towers, and inside there are 23 altars in Baroque and Rococo styles, as well as a valuable Renaissance main altar. Finishing elements, such as paintings and sculptures, are the work of renowned 17th-century Gdańsk artists. The Oliwa organ, originally built between 1763 and 1788, is one of the largest in Poland, with 96 voices and exceptional Rococo decorations. Its restoration went through many stages. Organ concerts and other cultural events are held in the Archcathedral, attracting both the faithful and tourists. Oliwa Archcathedral is a witness to a rare combination of rich history, valuable works of art, and musical traditions, making it a place of immense importance both locally and nationally.