St. Mary's Basilica in Gdańsk

St. Mary’s Basilica (Bazylika Mariacka) is a large Brick Gothic basilica in Gdańsk’s Main Town, Poland, built mainly between the 14th and early 16th centuries and notable for its scale and historic art.

Key interior highlights include the carved high altarpiece by Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz), executed in the late 15th century, and a large medieval astronomical clock. The nave and chapels contain significant Gothic and later furnishings and murals.

The church was built across the late medieval period and sustained heavy damage in 1945; extensive post-war restoration returned much of its interior and exterior to their historic appearance. The Veit Stoss altarpiece and other fittings were conserved and rehoused during 20th-century repairs.

The basilica stands in Gdańsk’s Main Town near Długi Targ (Long Market) and the Motława river, in the historic core of the city.

• Scale and date: Construction of the brick Gothic church took place roughly between the mid-14th and early 16th centuries, making it one of the largest brick churches in Europe.

What to See #

• Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz) altarpiece: The late-Gothic high altarpiece carved by Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz), created between 1477 and 1489, located behind the main altar and considered one of the church's principal artworks.
• Astronomical clock: A large 15th-century astronomical clock and associated mechanisms located in the nave, restored and maintained as part of the church's historic fittings.