Discover with us the Oliwa Cathedral, an architectural pearl that has been a witness of Oliwa's history since the 12th century. An extraordinary story about a place where history intertwines with culture, and each stone has its own story.
After an organ concert, one of the many musical events hosted here, it is worth relaxing in the neighboring Oliwa Park, where nature complements the aesthetic experience.
Let's go through moments from the history of the Oliwa Cathedral, starting from its foundation by the Pomeranian prince Sambor I, through difficult times of invasions and fires, to the triumphant moments of rebirth and cultural flourishing.
A short history of the Oliwa Cathedral
The origins of the Oliwa Cathedral, originally known as the Church of the Holy Trinity, date back to the 12th century and are related to the foundation of the Cistercians by the Pomeranian prince Sambor I.
In 1186, he issued a foundation document granting land to white monks in order to strengthen Christianity and his dynasty in the region. The monastery was to be supported by profits from villages, fishing and mills granted to it.
The difficult beginnings of the monastery are associated with attacks by pagan Prussians, which led to the first burning of the abbey in 1226 and the death of many monks. Subsequent invasions, including by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century, further threatened its existence.
Despite this, the Cistercians rebuilt and developed the abbey, which in the mid-13th century already had about 35 villages and extensive infrastructure.
In 1350, another church burned down, but was rebuilt into the form we know today. The main nave was then significantly enlarged and further bays and a presbytery were added.
In the 16th century, the Cistercians' support for Stephen Bathory caused further destruction, this time by the inhabitants of Gdańsk.
As part of the settlement, the city paid compensation to the Cistercians, and the king additionally provided funds for reconstruction.
After a brief period of peace, the abbey again faced threat during the Swedish invasions of the 17th century, but later decades brought royal visits and relative peace.
In the 18th century, as a result of the First Partition of Poland, the abbey was secularized by the Prussian authorities, and in 1925 the church was raised to the rank of a cathedral.
The last significant destruction occurred during World War II, but it did not require rebuilding from the foundations. In 1976, by decision of Pope Paul VI, the cathedral received the title of minor basilica.
Interesting facts related to the Church of the Holy Trinity in Oliwa
The Oliwa Cathedral, also known as the Oliwa Archcathedral in Gdańsk, offers many fascinating curiosities that make it a unique place both historically and architecturally:
Historical Monument: Since 2017, the Oliwa Cathedral has been included on the list of Polish Historical Monuments, which emphasizes its unique cultural and historical value.
Ossarium and crypts: In the cathedral there is an ossarium in which the founders of the abbey and the Gdańsk-Pomeranian princes from the Sobiesławice dynasty were buried. In the 18th century, the crypt was opened during a treasure hunt, but no hidden treasures were found there.
Significant historical events: In 1587, Sigismund III Vasa swore the pacta conventa in the Oliwa Cathedral, and in 1660, peace with Sweden was signed here, ending the Swedish Deluge. Both of these moments had a significant impact on the history of Poland.
Great organ: The organ in the Oliwa Cathedral, built between 1763 and 1788, was at one time the largest organ in Europe. Their prospectus is richly decorated and contains movable elements, which is rare. Pope John Paul II personally listened to the sound of this organ during his pilgrimage to Poland in 1999.
Architecture: Cathedral, built in the Gothic style on a Latin cross plan. It is also distinguished by the richness of its interior, including a Rococo pulpit and Baroque altars.
Alexander von Humboldt : The famous traveler described Oliwa as the third most beautiful town in the world, which proves the charm of this place. In the vicinity of the cathedral there is also a park designed by Andre La Notre, a famous garden designer.
Finally, it is worth noting that: The Oliwa Cathedral stands out for its record length. The external length of the building is 107 meters, which makes it the longest church in Poland . This impressive architectural feature adds character and majesty to the Oliwa Cathedral, emphasizing its importance both in the history and cultural landscape of Poland.
The Oliwa Cathedral is certainly a place worth visiting, not only because of its historical and architectural significance, but also because of its rich cultural offer, including the annual International Organ Music Festival.
Organ concerts in the Oliwa Cathedral
The Oliwa Cathedral is known not only for its architecture and history, but also for unique organ concerts that attract music lovers from all over the world.
The organ in the Oliwa Cathedral, one of the largest in Poland, is famous for its extraordinary sound and rich decoration.
International Organ Music Festival: Since 1957, the annual International Organ Music Festival has been held in the Oliwa Cathedral, which is the oldest festival of this type in Poland. The festival attracts organ performers from all over the world, presenting a wide repertoire from classical to contemporary music.
Daily organ concerts: During the summer, in addition to special festival concerts, you can also attend short organ performances in the cathedral, which take place almost every day. This is an excellent and, importantly, free opportunity to hear the extraordinary sound of these historical instruments.
The organ, built in the years 1763-1788 by Jan Wilhelm Wulff, was originally the largest organ in Europe and to this day it is very impressive both with its scale and artistic workmanship.
Their unique design includes moving elements, such as angels with instruments, that can be set in motion while playing, adding visual charm to the musical experience.
These concerts are not only musical events, but also an opportunity to experience the spiritual and cultural depth that this unique place offers. Everyone who visits the Oliwa Cathedral should try to participate in these unique musical events.
Oliwa Park
After the organ concert in the Oliwa Cathedral, it is definitely worth taking some time for a walk around the adjacent Oliwa Park. This extremely picturesque park is the perfect place for a moment of relaxation and contemplation after a musical experience in the cathedral.
Oliwa Park, designed by the master of garden architecture Andre Le Nôtre in the 18th century, offers a mixture of French and English styles. Walks along the hornbeam alley, the orangery, the alpine garden and the mysterious cave of whispers add a unique charm to this place.
This is a place where you can admire old trees and rare plant species, which makes every visit here unique.
Visiting this historic park is a perfect complement to the visit to the Oliwa Cathedral, allowing visitors to have a fuller cultural and spiritual experience of this unique corner of Gdańsk.
In itself, Oliwa Park and its history are so interesting that I will try to write more about it in the next article.