| Basilica of Saint Nicholas | |
|---|---|
 The church before renovation, 2018 | |
 Basilica of Saint Nicholas | |
| 54°21′07.92″N18°39′09.26″E / 54.3522000°N 18.6525722°E /54.3522000; 18.6525722 | |
| Address | Świętojańska 72,Śródmieście,Gdańsk |
| Country | Poland |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | Official website |
| History | |
| Status | Minor basilica |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | active |
| Architectural type | Hall church |
| Style | Brick Gothic |
| Years built | c. 1348–1487 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 63 m (206 ft 8 in) |
| Width | 22.24 m (73 ft 0 in) |
| Number of towers | 1 |
| Materials | Brick |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Gdańsk |
Basilica of Saint Nicholas (Polish:Bazylika św. Mikołaja;German:Nikolaikirche) is aBrick Gothic church situated in the Old Town ofGdańsk,Poland. Constructed between the 14th and 15th centuries, the basilica currently serves theDominican Order. It remains the only historic church of central Gdańsk which escaped damage duringWorld War II.
The present site was first occupied by a small place of worship or church in theRomanesque style, constructed in approximately 1185–90.[1] It was situated on thevia mercatorum trade route, which allowed the early church to be attended by foreign merchants and sailors arriving in the city.[1]
On 22 January 1227,Świętopełk II, Duke of Pomerania, entrusted the church to theDominican friars, who were invited to the region bySaint Hyacinth of Poland.[2] It was consecrated by the papal legateWilliam of Modena in 1239.[3]
In 1260,Pope Alexander IV granted the Dominicans the right to organise an annual churchkermesse (festival) on 4 August.[4] It soon transformed into what is now theSt. Dominic's Fair, a cultural and trade event held between July and August by the city authorities.[4]
The current Brick Gothic structure was largely erected after 1348, beginning with thepresbytery (chancel).[5] The entirety was completed in around 1487 with the ceiling and roofing.[6] The southern tower was also enlarged and elevated by the octagonal addition during this time.[7]
Following the rise ofProtestantism under theReformation, the Dominican church and adjacent abbey were repeatedly plundered, with the friars evicted by force.[8] In 1564, the city council transferred the church to Protestant ownership and moved the church's treasury to theTown Hall.[9] However,Sigismund II Augustus,King of Poland, repudiated the idea and intervened on behalf of the Catholic worshippers; the church reverted to the Dominican Order in 1567.[10]
Upon arriving fromSweden,Sigismund III Vasa was handed an official document confirming hiselection to the Polish throne inside this church on 11 September 1587.[11]
In 1813, during theNapoleonic Wars, the neighbouring Dominican convent was destroyed by fire and its debris cleared; the Dominican monks eventually left the city by 1834.[12] Nonetheless, it remained in the hands of the Catholic Church.[12] In 1929, it became aminor basilica by the decision ofPope Pius XI, who gifted theparish a largeumbraculum.[13] Considered lost for decades, it was found in 2019 during renovation works.[14]
The building remained unscathed throughout World War II, especially during theRed Army's shelling ofDanzig.[15] In April 1945, the Dominicans were repatriated fromLviv and returned to the church.[15]
In the post-war period, under thePolish People's Republic, the church became a gathering point for the anti-communist opposition andSolidarity members.[16]
In October 2018, large cracks appeared on the vaulted ceiling and the main supporting pillars became unstable.[17] Thus, the church was closed almost immediately due to the danger of collapsing.[17] The emergency repairs along with works on foundations and vaulting were completed by 2022, though the church's structural integrity is to be continuously monitored.[17]
As with the other historic places of worship in Gdańsk, the basilica is a longhall church made of red brick with its exterior more reminiscent of defensive castles or fortresses – a style common within theHanseatic League.[18] The total length is estimated at 63 metres (207 ft) and the width at 22.24 metres (73.0 ft).[19] It possesses a threenave system with hiddenbuttresses.[18] The entire structure is supported from the inside by tenoctagonal pillars.[20] The ceiling comprises alierne vault with a star design.[21] The floor is made oflimestone brought from theSwedish island ofÖland and features animalfossils.[22] The cellars currently hold acrypt which is open to visitors.[23]
Having escaped destruction, the interior of the church is adorned by original furnishings from the Gothic,Renaissance,Baroque andRococo periods. Notably, it holds a 15th-centuryPietà, wall frescos from 1430s, carvedchoir-stalls and altars.[18] The walls are embellished by ornamentalepitaphs of Polish and German-speaking citizens or merchants.[18] There is also aledger stone of aTeutonic knight fromThuringia.[24][25]
