Oliwa Cathedral

ul. Biskupa Edmunda Nowickiego 5, Gdańsk , Oliwa (+48) 58 552 47 65 20 May 2024

Oliwa Cathedral, Gdansk Oliwa

Oliwa Cathedral Organ; photo by Paweł Borsuk

Oliwa Cathedral, Gdansk Oliwa

Oliwa Cathedral Organ

Oliwa Cathedral Organ; photo by Paweł Borsuk

Oliwa Cathedral, Gdansk Oliwa

Oliwa Cathedral Organ; photo by Paweł Borsuk

Taking pride of place at the western end of Oliwa Park, Oliwa's towering Cathedral was originally built as a simple wooden structure in the 12th century, and it was only in 1224 that the brickwork was added. Nonetheless, the year 1350 saw a negligent kitchen boy accidentally start a fire that engulfed the whole building, reducing it to cinders. Reconstruction began immediately, but in 1626 the building was again destroyed, this time by marauding Swedish soldiers. Not content with stealing its bells, altars and valuables, the Swedes also kidnapped Oliwa’s hapless monks for good measure. In a twist of irony, however, it was in this very building that Poland and Sweden finally put the past behind them and signed a peace treaty in 1660.

Built along a classic three-aisle design with a vaulted basilica and shaped in the form of the Latin cross, the interior is dominated by the extraordinary organ over the main entrance. Built between 1755 and 1780 by the organ master Johann Wulf, it was at that time the largest organ of its kind in Europe, and features moving cherubs, fanfaring angels and comes with a staggering 7,896 pipes and 110 registers allowing for an incredible range of pitch and sounds including rippling water, animal cries and human voices. Hear it for yourself during one of their frequent organ recitals; check the times online at: www.archikatedraoliwa.pl.

A couple of other points of note are the memorial plague to inter-war Danzig bishop Edward O’Rourke found on the wall (to the right as you enter from the main entrance), and, at the other end of the church, a strange and beautiful canopy around the high altar, covered with stars and featuring 150 angels poking out of a mass of clouds.

Associated Venues

Hampton by Hilton Gdansk Oliwa

Al. Grunwaldzka 507, Gdańsk

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A brand new hotel in the Oliwa district which opened its doors in the autumn of 2017. For a start everything is brand spanking new and the large rooms are well equipped with all you could expect from a hotel carrying the Hilton name. While the location i

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Oliwa Park

ul. Opacka 12, Gdańsk Oliwa

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Gdańsk has a lot of acreage of greenery that is available for public roaming and romping, however, none can compare to the majestically-kept 10-hectare parkland of Gdańsk Oliwa!

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St. James' Church Oliwa

Józefa Czyżewskiego, Gdansk Oliwa

The Church of St. James in the Gdańsk Oliwa district is located in the north-west corner of Oliwa Park.

Comments

30.05.2017
Editor Poland
Gdansk
Hi Susan. I have sent you a direct mail but anyone else looking for tickets to the International Organ Festival held during July and August, please take a look at this link. https://goo.gl/ONNbcS

29.05.2017
Susan Melton-Hill
Vienna
My husband and I will be visiting Gdansk at the end of July. We wish to purchase 2 tickets for the organ recital at Oliwa Cathedral on Friday 28th July. Please advise how we can reserve these tickets on this date

Gdańsk

Oliwa Cathedral

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Associated Venues

Hampton by Hilton Gdansk Oliwa

Oliwa Park

St. James' Church Oliwa

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