St. Gertrude's Church in Darłowo

St. Gertrude's Church in Darłowo, located in the former Słupsk Suburb, is a historic Roman Catholic temple originally serving as a cemetery chapel. The brick, unplastered structure may have its origins in the first half of the 15th century, with possible Scandinavian or English influences. The lack of definitive evidence regarding its foundation, which was destroyed in the Darłowo fire of 1722, means that many theories about its construction, including those attributing it to Eric of Pomerania, remain speculative. The oldest mention of the church dates back to 1497 and is linked to the legend of Princess Gertrude, who promised to fund the chapel after being saved from a tsunami. After World War II, the church was used for masses for settlers but gradually fell into ruin until a thorough renovation in the 1960s. Since 1990, following the establishment of the parish, the church underwent restoration, revealing rich 19th- and 20th-century polychromes. Architecturally, the chapel has a hexagonal shape with a dodecagonal ambulatory, supported by a shingled roof with a turret. The interior features a star-shaped vault and richly decorated 17th- and 18th-century galleries. It is also worth noting that the church played a significant role in local history, reflecting both Catholic spirituality and the architectural heritage of the region. A notable curiosity is its persistent preservation of both its historic character and cemetery function, making it a unique site on Darłowo's cultural map.