Churches, Warsaw

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Protestant church of the Holy Trinity based on the idea of the Roman Pantheon with impressive, 58 m (190'') tall dome topped by a lantern was the tallest Warsaw church (like some 19-floor building) in the 18th century.

The church built in 1778 - 1781 for public funds in mostly Roman catholic Warsaw was a sign of tolerance of the nation and the last king of Poland. The neo-classical style church was burnt down in 1939 and rebuilt in 1948 - 1958. It's partky hidden behind scaffoldings due to renovation works in 2006. The massive exterior decorated with inpressive classical Doric portico and rwo rectangular smaller addings is regarded as one of the best examples of early classical style in Poland and contrasts with simple, round and empty interior with a very modest altar, surrounded by two floor columnaded gallery.

The holy service takes place on each Sunday at 10.30 am. Warning: there are no strict opening hours given, so you may find close doors. The parish office is located just by the church, in 4 Kredytowa Street. Well, the most interesting was the exhibition inside and its creator... check my general tips, please.

The architect of this impressive structure Zug also designed the Palace in Natolin (far, southern suburb of Warsaw now) which after pretty renovation houses Euriopean Centre Natolin.

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Classical St. Alexander's Church, built on the plan of Roman Pantheon with two porticos stands at the southern end of Nowy Swiat, at the longitudinal Three Crosses Square, that is on the Royal Way from the Royal Catle to Wilanow Palace (Polish Versailles).

The church built in 1818 -1825 was named to praise Tzar Alexander I of Russia who was very friendly to Poland; probably thanks to his close friendship with Adam Czartoryski, a Polish noble and statesman whom the tzar de facto appointed the foreign minister of Russia. The church is often considered a symbol of friendship between Russians and Poles; but mostly not between their past rulers. I was told that a lot of people want to get marry in this church due to belief that it guarantees long and happy life. I've seen a wedding ceremony in this church.

Warsaw was incorporated into Kingdom of Prussia in 1795. In 1807 under Napoleon's rule so-called Duchy of Warsaw was created. After Napoleon's defeat in Moscow, Warsaw was occupied by Prussian and Russian troops until 1815 when the Congress of Vienna created the Congress Poland - the Kingdom of Poland (1815-1831) resting under Russian rule. Alexander became the King of Poland and people of Warsaw built a triumphal arch for him but the tzar didn't want it, so the arch was demolished and replaced by the church.

Then the church was enlarged and rebuilt. It looked quite different and more impressive before WWII - look here. But being badly damaged during Warsaw Uprising 1944, the church couldn't be rebuilt in previous larger size after WWII for political reasons. Anyway, it looks quite interesting both outside and inside (open my next pictures).

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Designed by Jozef Szymon Belotti and Jakub Fontana and built in the years 1679 - 1754, this magnificent baroque church dominates one end of Krakowskie Przedmiescie St. Badly damaged during the Warsaw Uprising, as the area was a scene of violent battles, and then by Nazi bombs, the church was re-built after the war. The characteristic statue of Christ bent under the burden of the Cross thrown down by the Nazis into the street , now back in front of the main entrance, might symbolise the fate of Warsaw, fallen but now risen from the dead. With tombs of many famous Poles and the urn with Chopin's heart entombed, the church is specially cherished by Polish people. It is from here that Sunday mass is broadcast all over Poland.

St. John’s Cathedral was originally built in the 14th Century and is Warsaw's oldest church. The last King of Poland, Stanislaw August Poniatowski was both crowned and buried here and the crypt is also the resting place for a number of political and public figures.

The cathedral, like much of Warsaw's Old Town, was destroyed during the latter stages of the 2nd World War. It was rebuilt with a gothic facade and the interior contains some beautiful side chapels, memorials and intricately carved choir stalls, copies of the ones commissioned by Jan III Sobieski in the 17th Century. On an outer wall is a track from the radio-controlled tank that took part in the destruction of the cathedral during the Warsaw uprising.

When we visited the cathedral the organ was playing and there was a feeling of quiet reverence. It was very tranquil with a strong sense of peace, a place to sit, contemplate and let thoughts wash over you.

Wandering around the small streets of Warsaw we found the Church of St. Martin's. Warsaw has many churches but this one caught my eye, it is one of the oldest churches in Warsaw but probably has the most recent history relating to Warsaw's troubled past. St. Martin's was used by the Solidarity members who met here in secret before and during martial law. These people deserve great praise in their great contribution to the fall of communist rule.
VT member Evaanna is the reason for the coincedence - I had seen her pages but it was not until returning home I found we both had taken the same picture from the same spot!!

The first church was built here back in 1454 thanks to duchess Anna Holszanska. It was then totally destroyed in 1657. The Gothic presbytery still survives and the nave was rebuilt in Baroque style following the wars with Sweden. The classicist facade was added in 1786-1788. The interior walls were painted in consistently Rococo style.

Presently it serves as Academic Church and constitutes starting point of yearly pilgrimages to Czestochowa.

The church's history is very rich. I am NOT going to describe it here ;)))

The church is also known as the Jesuits' Church of the Most Holy Mary Our Gracious Lady.

It was built in 17th century by King Sigismund III (Zygmunt III Vasa). The main nave with its ornate ribbed vault leads toan elevated presbytery covered with an elliptic dome beside which rises a 65-meter belfry, a prominent feature in Warsaw's skyline. This original architectural design with the interior space represents the Mannerist style. In the main altar you'll see a picture of the Gracious Mother of God, the Patroness of Warsaw.

During the German occupation the sanctuary was distroyed by Nazis :(

The church represents renaissance and baroque architecture and is definetely worth visiting.

This Paulite church was first built in 1707-1717 on the site of a wooden church dating back to the fourteenth century. It was totally damaged during World War II and then rebuilt. Presently it constitutes one of the fine pearls of Warsaw Old Town.

Worth entering and seing from the inside...