Co-Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Olsztyn
The Co-Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Olsztyn (Polish: Bazylika konkatedralna św. Jakuba Apostoła w Olsztynie) is a Catholic basilica and co-cathedral in Olsztyn, Poland. It is a notable example of 14th century gothic architecture, and it is on the register of monuments in Poland.[1] The church is located in the Old Town area of Olsztyn.
| Co-Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Olsztyn | |
|---|---|
Bazylika konkatedralna św. Jakuba Apostoła w Olsztynie | |
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| 53°46′33.2″N 20°28′40″E / 53.775889°N 20.47778°E | |
| Location | Olsztyn |
| Country | Poland |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Register of monuments |
| Architectural type | Gothic |
| Years built | 14th to 16th c. |
The church is named for James the Great.
History
editThe church building was built between the 14th and 15th centuries, with a major addition in the 16th century.[2] The 200-foot tower was also added at the end of the 16th century.[3]
During the Napoleonic Wars, the French used the church to imprison hundreds of Russian soldiers. The soldiers burned much of the original woodwork to stay warm during the winter.[3] The Old Town area was again damaged in 1945, but was largely spared during World War I.[4]
During the Polish People's Republic, the parish sued the government over rent collection. The case eventually traveled to the supreme court, but the parish lost the case.[5] In 1966, a version of the Black Madonna was meant to visit the Olsztyn parish to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of Christianity in Poland, but communist authorities rerouted it and then confiscated the icon.[6]
Conservation
editIn 2017, renovation work took place on the tower. Corrosion and damaged plaster were repaired.[7] In 2018, a hidden crypt underneath the church was uncovered and renovated. The renovations were critical to the structural support of the church's tower.[8] In 2023, the church was one of the only historic structures in Olsztyn to receive funding under the Monument Protection Program. It received 3.5 million zlotys for renovation purposes.[9]
Architecture
editThe church is built in the brick gothic style. The aisles feature a crystalline vault.[3] The right altar forms a triptych of the Annunciation.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Parish church of St. Jacob, currently concathedral of Archdiocese of Warmia". Zabytek. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
- ^ Humphreys, A. (2023). Dk Eyewitness Poland. United States: DORLING KINDERSLEY PUBLIS.
- ^ a b c d Stallings, D. (2007). Fodor's Poland. United Kingdom: Fodor's Travel Publications.
- ^ Kurs, Tomasz (2018-03-18). "Zwiedzając Olsztyn: perełki architektury". Wyborcza.
- ^ Mazgaj, M. S. (2010). Church and State in Communist Poland: A History, 1944-1989. United States: McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers.
- ^ Kubik, J. (2010). Power of Symbols Against the Symbols of Power: The Rise of Solidarity and the Fall of State Socialism in Poland. (n.p.): Pennsylvania State University Press.
- ^ Koronowski, Michał (2017-10-20). "Remont katedry w Olsztynie. O lęku wysokości trzeba zapomnieć". Wyborcza.
- ^ Koronowski, Michał (2018-07-21). "Katedrę w Olsztynie trzeba wzmocnić betonową wanną". Wyborcza.
- ^ Robaszewski, Robert (2024-03-12). "Olsztyn. Katedra dostała 3,5 mln. złotych na remont. Ostatni prezent od PiS". Wyborcza.