St. Mary's Church in Chojna

St. Mary's Church in Chojna, known as Marienkirche, is one of the largest Gothic churches in Poland, constructed between 1389 and 1407. It features a three-nave hall church layout and a monumental neo-Gothic tower reaching 102.6 meters in height, built from 1859 to 1861. The exterior is adorned with glazed brickwork. The oldest sanctuary on this site dates back to the 13th century, shortly after the town's foundation, but the first Gothic chancel was built at the end of the 14th century, with full construction completed in 1459. The church underwent numerous transformations, including reconstructions and repairs following a structural disaster in 1843, when a corner of the tower collapsed, and a fire in 1945, which damaged part of the interior and the structure. After the war, the church lay in ruins for many years, with various preservation measures introduced since the 1950s. Reconstruction began in the 1990s, focusing on the roof structure and the tower, which was rebuilt using modern construction technologies. The architectural influence of Brunsberg, one of the main architects associated with the church, is evident in the use of buttresses and pilaster strips. St. Mary's Church has also served as a filming location, featuring in Lars von Trier's "Europa," highlighting its cultural significance. Although the interior is currently impoverished without its original vaulting, it is the subject of numerous conservation and artistic efforts aimed at protecting this important monument. Interestingly, the church, which has survived to this day, stands as a testament to Chojna's rich history, both in a local and broader cultural context, forming a key element of the region's architectural heritage.