St. Catherine of Alexandria Basilica in Braniewo

The Basilica of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Braniewo is a monumental Gothic structure, built on the site of an earlier wooden church. Its construction began in the 1340s with the intention of creating a pseudo-basilica, but in 1367 the design was changed to a hall church. The church acquired glazed windows and vaulting in the 15th century, and its tower was heightened in 1536 by master builder Mikołaj from Orneta. Throughout its history, the church has suffered numerous damages, including a fire in 1480 and the blowing up of the tower by German troops in early 1945, which led to significant destruction. Starting in 1979, thanks to the efforts of Father Tadeusz Brandys, reconstruction began and was completed with the consecration in 1986. In 2001, the church was granted the status of a minor basilica. The architecture of the basilica is characterized by three naves and an impressive tower standing 63 meters tall. The interior of the basilica is spacious, featuring Gothic sculptures in the presbytery and modern furnishings. The organ currently in the church dates from 1951 and was expanded in 2017. Historically, before the war, the church housed three bells, including the largest bell in East Prussia, which is now located in Kornelimünster. Today, four new bells hang in the tower. The Basilica of St. Catherine in Braniewo is not only a place of religious worship but also an important historical monument that has withstood many storms of history.