St. Mary Magdalene Church, Wrocław

St. Mary Magdalene Church
Kościół Św. Magdaleny we Wrocławiu (in Polish)
Basic information
Location Wrocław, Poland
Affiliation Old Catholic
District Old Town
Architectural description
Architectural style Romanesque, Brick Gothic
Completed before 15th century
Materials Brick
View from Szewska street

St. Mary Magdalene Church in Wrocław, Poland, is a gothic church located between Szewska and Laciarska street close to the central market square, established in the 13th century. Currently it is a cathedral of the Polish Catholic Church led by Piotr Mikolajczak.On the 21.10.1523, the first Lutheran services in Breslau were held here.[1]

Description

During the Second World War the church was seriously damaged. In 1945 the legendary Sinner's Bell, which was the biggest Silesian bell, was also damaged. St Mary Magdalene was rebuilt during the period 1947-1953.

The most precious relic of the church is a Romanesque portal dating from the 12th century, coming from a Benedictine monastery in Ołbin that had been torn down in the 16th century.

The bridge connecting the two towers is called the "Mostek Czarownic" (Witches’ Bridge). A legend says that the shadows visible on the bridge are the souls of the girls who used to seduce men without wanting to be married, being scared of housekeeping. Indeed shadows represent women with brooms in their hands.

Romanesque portal

Bibliography

  • Malgorzata Urlich-Kornacka A guide to Wrocław
  • Beata Maciejewska Spacerownik Wrocławski

References

  1. ↑ Kulak, Teresa. Breslau: Ein historischer Stadtführer. Wydawnictwo Dolnoslaskie.

Coordinates: 51°06′34″N 17°02′05″E / 51.10944°N 17.03472°E / 51.10944; 17.03472


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