St. John the Evangelist Co-Cathedral in Kwidzyn

The Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Kwidzyn is a Gothic church from the 14th century, serving as the cathedral of the Diocese of Elbląg since 1993 and the seat of the Kwidzyn Chapter. In 2018, the cathedral and castle complex was granted the status of a Historic Monument. Construction of the temple began around 1325 and lasted until the second half of the 14th century. The cathedral, oriented and built of brick, features a five-sided chancel and a pseudo-basilica body, with its vaults being star-shaped and tripartite. An impressive architectural element is the tall tower, which served both as a belfry and a defensive structure. The monument preserves numerous works of art, including a mosaic depicting the martyrdom of St. John the Evangelist from 1380 and Gothic wall paintings from the 14th and 15th centuries. The building underwent many changes due to historical events, such as the siege of Kwidzyn in 1478, when the church was damaged. After the Reformation in the 16th century, it lost its administrative status, which affected its interior—plastered and adapted for the needs of various religious communities. In the 17th and 18th centuries, chapels and richly decorated Lutheran confessionals were added. In the 19th century, the cathedral underwent a thorough renovation aimed at restoring its medieval character, including the reconstruction of the presbytery vault and the addition of a Neo-Gothic altar. After World War II, the church came into the hands of the Franciscans, who managed it until the 1990s, when systematic conservation work began. Inside the cathedral are the tombs of many famous historical figures, including bishops of Pomesania and Grand Masters of the Teutonic Order. An interesting aspect is the mystery surrounding Blessed Dorota of Mątowy, whose actual cell was located elsewhere, and the search for her grave ended in failure. The Cathedral in Kwidzyn is an important element of the region's cultural heritage, combining history, architecture, and art.