St. Nicholas Cathedral in Bielsko-Biała

The Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Bielsko-Biała, serving as the cathedral of the Diocese of Bielsko-Żywiec and one of the largest churches in the city, was built between 1443 and 1447, though it only acquired its current appearance after renovations carried out between 1909 and 1912. The cathedral's architecture blends various styles, ranging from Gothic to Modernism. During the reconstruction, a 61-meter tower was erected, inspired by Italian campaniles and modeled after the bell tower of St. Mark's in Venice. It is adorned with grapevine motifs, while the portal captures attention with a statue of Christ and medallions of the apostles, created by Othmar Schimkowitz. Despite controversial post-Vatican II changes made between 1965 and 1966, the interior retains valuable elements such as confessionals from 1910 and stained-glass windows from various eras, including Art Nouveau works by Rudolf Harflinger. The northern nave features an important painting, *Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane*, while the southern nave houses a cross commemorating the Way of the Cross. The cathedral is also a pilgrimage site, partly due to the presence of saints' relics. A new main altar was built in 1991, and the church was elevated to cathedral status in 1992. The history of the cathedral also includes tales of fires, reconstructions, and the influence of various denominations, including Lutheranism—it served Protestants between 1559 and 1630. Interestingly, the cathedral has survived all fires, and in 2011, it hosted its first-ever episcopal ordination ceremony. The interior is decorated with Stations of the Cross and a 1920 organ, while stained-glass depictions of John Paul II and Cardinal Wyszyński were added in 2012. The cathedral is not only a place of worship but also a significant cultural and historical landmark in the region.