St. Mary's Church in Elbląg

St. Mary's Church in Elbląg is a deconsecrated Gothic Protestant temple, located in a site typical for mendicant monasteries, on the outskirts of the city, near the town walls. It was founded by Dominicans who arrived from Kraków and received a founding document from the Teutonic Order's State Master, Herman Balk, in 1238. Construction of the church began around 1246 or 1248, during which the presbytery, sacristy, and western annexes were built. After a fire in 1504, the church was rebuilt in 1514, introducing net vaulting in the main nave. Until the mid-16th century, the church served as a place of prayer for the Polish population, but after the Dominicans abandoned it in 1542 and the complex was later handed over to the city council, this role faded. The church was then given to the Evangelicals. During the Swedish War, the building was destroyed but later rebuilt. World War II brought further destruction—the church and monastery survived until 1945 and were rebuilt after 1959. At the initiative of Gerard Kwiatkowski, during the reconstruction, the site was repurposed for cultural use, leading to the opening of the EL Gallery in April 1961. St. Mary's Church features an irregular rectangular layout, two naves, a separate presbytery, a sacristy, and a cloister. The structure lacks dominant architectural elements, with the only decorative features being triangular gables with pinnacles. On three sides, it is surrounded by low annexes, remnants of the monastic cloister. The interior of the church, partially reconstructed, retains walls with losses and epitaphs. The entire building and the monastery ruins are enclosed by a partially preserved wall with pointed-arch epitaph niches, further emphasizing its historical and architectural value. St. Mary's Church is not only an example of Gothic architecture but also a place with a rich history that continues to influence the culture of Elbląg.