The most beautiful religious buildings Poland

Located on Tumski Island, it stands on the site of the former Romanesque cathedral, built around the year 1000, destroyed by the Bohemian Bratoslav around 1035 and rebuilt in the ^12th century. The present ^13th-century building was badly damaged during the Second World War, but has since been superbly rebuilt. A typical Wroclaw feature, colorful Baroque chapels have been added to the Gothic body. You can climb to the top of the north tower and enjoy the beautiful panorama.

The earliest records of the church date back to the ^14th century. The present building, built in the ^16th century in Gothic architectural style, was a monastery for penitent women. It was completely destroyed during the war and had to wait until 1973 to be rebuilt. In 1980, striking workers took refuge in the church, which was used as a backdrop for demonstrations broadcast by TV stations around the world, and became one of the centers of the Solidarność trade union. It can be visited subject to payment of an entrance fee of 5 zł.

Its classical frontal architecture and stucco facade are the signature of the Jesuits who founded it. In keeping with their credo, the interior is absolutely grandiose and contrasts with the façade: it is one of the most beautiful Baroque churches in Central Europe, made of pomp, marble, swirling woodwork and missionary frescoes. It was built at the end of the ^16th century as a university church on the site of the former Piast castle.

Founded in the early 17th century by Mikołaj Zebrzydowski, this complex consists of a shrine and a Calvary whose location on the hills and structure were meant to recall Jerusalem. The paths of the Way of the Cross are lined with about forty chapels, most of which date from the first half of the seventeenth century, and evoke Golgotha. These monuments are set in a beautiful natural setting that has remained almost unchanged since the 17th century.

Located just across the Tumski Bridge, which overlooks the University Island on the Oder River, this church welcomes you on your way to the cathedral. Although it is visible, you will not immediately find the entrance to this small, beautiful but very soberly decorated church, dating from the 15th century. In fact, you have to pass by the building located just nearby, the Orphanotrophaeum, a former orphanage for children of the nobility, built in the early 18th century.

St. Lawrence Church, located in the heart of Malbork Castle, is a ^14th-century Gothic masterpiece. With its soaring vaults, detailed carvings and magnificent stained glass windows, it bears witness to the grandeur of the Teutonic Order. Once the spiritual center of the fortress, it continues to attract visitors from all over the world with its history and majestic beauty. Its interior is adorned with detailed sculptures, religious frescoes and richly decorated altars, testifying to the skills of the craftsmen of the time.

The Collegiate Basilica in Poznan is dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Mary Magdalene and Bishop Stanislaus of Szczepanów. Built between 1649 and 1705, it forms part of a gigantic religious complex in the flamboyant Baroque style. The monumental exterior of the building, 55 m long, 35 m wide and 27 m high, is fully decorated. In summer, daily organ concerts are held here.

This beautiful church in the characteristic Gdańsk style was built towards the end of the 17th century over a few years (more precisely from 1678 to 1681) on the initiative of King Jan III Sobieski and Primate Andrzej Olszowski. It was commissioned to provide a new place of worship for Catholics after the loss of Our Lady, granted to the city's Protestants. As a result, it is also the only Baroque church in Gdańsk, but unfortunately it can no longer be visited and can only be seen at the time of masses and other religious episodes.

This beautiful church built at the end of the 16th century, under the direction of Bernardo Morando, has a splendid interior. It is considered one of the most beautiful religious monuments of the Renaissance in Poland. Its vaulting is typical of Polish mannerism.

The monumental silver tabernacle is in rococo style. In the choir, there are four paintings depicting the life of St. Thomas, the patron saint of the city. From the top of the bell tower, there is a beautiful view of the city.

Built on a small island in the heart of Wrocław, this ^14th-century church was originally one of the country's oldest Gothic churches in the German period. Its appearance shows architectural trial and error, as well as a plan halfway between the Romanesque style and the Gothic canons. Serving as HQ for the German army desperately trying to resist the Soviet advance on the Reich border, it was destroyed before being rebuilt after the war.

The shrine houses the relics of St. Faustina, canonized in 2000 by John Paul II. Saint Faustina lived here from 1925 until her death in 1938 and one of her visions inspired the creation of a painting, a copy of which can be seen in the chapel. A modern basilica has been built next to the chapel and its tower with an elevator offers one of the most beautiful views of Krakow. On the first Sunday after Easter, pilgrims arrive from all over Poland for the Divine Mercy.

Located in front of the Episcopal Palace, this church was founded by one of the bishops of Krakow who sat there at the end of the 12th century. Originally built in Romanesque style, it was rebuilt in the 17th century and has been modified several times since then to create a striking result dominated by the Baroque style. Inside, there is a Gothic triptych dating from 1490, an ornamented tomb in a Renaissance style dating from 1553.

Bydgoszcz's oldest church is a remarkable example of Gothic architecture. Its interiors are exceptional and impressive. Its walls and ceilings are covered in vivid colors, polychromes painted between 1922 and 1925 by Henryk Jackowski, inspired by the modernist ideas of the Młoda Polska art movement. The combination of color, Gothic architecture and Baroque altars is breathtaking. A must-see.

This eighteenth-century Baroque basilica is a bit out of the way, but it is immediately noticeable if you walk along the banks of the Vistula River, the way it majestically stands out from the river, in the middle of a park. It is one of the most popular places of worship in the city, because of its special relationship with St. Stanislaus, the patron saint of Poland. After his murder, the martyr and bishop was installed here and celebrated before he was canonized and later exhumed and transported to the Wawel. The memory of the saint continues to keep alive the basilica, which is one of the richest in the city. Its interior is a true Baroque jewel that should not be missed: pastel colors, golden ornaments, statues of angels and saints. Above all, the chapel dedicated to St. Stanislaus. Inside, you can see the trunk on which the drops of blood of the bishop fell. The miraculous water in the basin near the church, with a statue of St. Stanislaus, is said to have healing powers, especially for skin and eye diseases.

Every year since the 13th century, on the first Sunday after May 8, the faithful carry the relic of the Bishop of Wawel to Skałka. The start of the grand procession is marked by the ringing of Sigismund's bell. This is one of the highlights of the country that is a must see. Under the basilica is the Crypt of the Meritorious, where "great men" who have distinguished themselves in the field of culture, science and art are buried.

One of the best examples of church architecture in southern Poland, where Roman Catholic architecture meets the Slavic Orthodox church, richly decorated inside. The church's mural painting is priceless: a 15th century Gothic-Renaissance polychrome in 33 colors with 77 different designs, including Persian and Chinese. The church is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Small, all made of pine wood, charming, its interior decoration is typical of the mountain churches of the Tatras. Some services are still held here. Just behind the church is an incredible cemetery (Cmentarz na Pęksowym Brzysku), filled with wooden sculptures, all masterpieces. In particular, it has a number of seated Christs, in the manner of Rodin's Thinker, a recurring motif in Polish folk art and the result of a legend, unique in the Christian world. Among the tombs, that of Stanisław Witkiewicz. Not to be missed!

This imposing basilica was built in Gothic style in the 14th century. There is a legend about the small bridge that connects the two towers of the church at the top. Sometimes, on this bridge, walk the spirits of women who have never married: as a punishment, their souls wander and are condemned to clean the bridge for eternity! We go there for the photo more than for the interest of the visit. A tower is open to the public, count 10 minutes of climbing.

Located south of the Rynek opposite the Bishops' Palace, this enormous church dates from the 13th century. In the 19th century, it was enriched with beautiful stained glass windows and Art Nouveau murals by Stanisław Wyspiański: the one above the door, God the Creator, is a true masterpiece. During Lent, every Friday around 4:30 pm, men dressed in black carry a skull to the Passion Chapel, where they then lie on the floor. In the adjacent cloister(klasztor), there is an amazing collection of portraits of all the bishops of Krakow.