St. Michael the Archangel and St. Florian the Martyr Cathedral Basilica in Warsaw

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel and St. Florian the Martyr, commonly known as St. Florian's Cathedral, is an important church located in the Praga-Północ district of Warsaw, serving as the cathedral of the Warsaw-Praga diocese. Construction of the temple began in 1888 and was completed in 1904. The design resulted from a competition, in which Józef Pius Dziekoński won first prize. The church was built in a style reminiscent of Masovian Gothic, featuring a three-nave basilica, a transept, and distinctive towers. The temple could accommodate about 8,000 faithful, and its construction cost 300,000 rubles. After the end of World War II, the church was destroyed by retreating German forces, but fragments of its walls were saved. The reconstruction of the church was completed in 1972, and since 1992 it has served as the cathedral of the Warsaw-Praga diocese. In 1997, the cathedral was granted the title of a minor basilica. The interior of the basilica impresses with its wealth of details, including a bust and reliquary of Father Ignacy Kłopotowski, as well as numerous commemorative plaques. A "papal oak" was planted near the church, and a monument to Father Ignacy Skorupka was unveiled in front of it. On June 13, 1999, John Paul II met with the faithful in front of the cathedral, and the church houses precious relics and a statue of St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters. Interestingly, the name of the adjacent Florianska Street derives from the cathedral's dedication. The cathedral, an example of Polish sacred architecture, remains an important place of worship and cultural events in Warsaw.