Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Toruń, Poland Verified listing

Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Toruń, Poland

The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist in Toruń is a stunning Gothic brick church. It sits in the heart of Old Town, surrounded by Kopernika, Łazienna, Św. Jana, and Żeglarska streets. From the south, its shape is easily visible. When viewed from the Vistula River, the tower and main body of the church stand out.

This cathedral basilica is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Poland. Inside, the church displays numerous valuable works of art. The wall paintings and mystical crucifix are particularly remarkable. Visitors can also see the tombstone of the von Soest couple and a sculpture of Saint Mary Magdalene with angels. The Saint Wolfgang altar adds further beauty to the interior. However, some decorations were lost or moved to museums over time. For instance, the Beautiful Madonna was replaced by a 1956 copy, and the Baroque main altar still stands in place.

Since 1501, the cathedral has held the heart of King Jan Olbracht. The church also honors Nicolaus Copernicus with several items. These include his baptismal font, an epitaph in his memory, and a bust funded by Aleksander Jabłonowski in 1766.

In 1935, the church received the title of minor basilica. Later, in 1992, the church became the cathedral of the Toruń Diocese. Today, the cathedral is an important cultural and religious landmark. It attracts many visitors who admire its rich history and stunning architecture.

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