Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene, Wrocław

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Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene (Polish: Katedra św. Marii Magdaleny we Wrocławiu) in Wrocław, Poland, is a gothic church located between Szewska and Łaciarska street close to the central market square, established in the 13th century. The church is named after Jesus' companion Mary Magdalene. It serves as a cathedral of the Polish Catholic Church led by Piotr Mikołajczak. Along with the Old Town of Wrocław, it is listed as a Historic Monument of Poland.[1]

History

The Church of St. Mary Magdalene was founded in the early 13th century after the city's main parish functions were transferred from St. Adalbert's Church to a new parish serving the developing left-bank town in 1226.[2] The first Romanesque church on the site was destroyed during the Mongol invasion of 1241 and subsequently rebuilt in the mid-13th century.[3] Following a major fire in 1342, the church was extensively reconstructed in Brick Gothic form, creating much of the present structure, including its characteristic twin towers.[3]

It was the first church in Breslau (Wrocław) redesigned around the requirements of the Protestant community established in 1523 following the Reformation.[4] On 21 October 1523, the city's first Lutheran services were held in the church.[5]

During the Second World War the church suffered severe destruction, including major fire damage and the collapse of parts of its towers.[4] 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.

In 1972, the church was transferred to the Catholic Church in Poland.[2]

Description

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.

References

  1. 1.Zarządzenie Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z dnia 8 września 1994 r. w sprawie uznania za pomnik historii, M.P., 1994, vol. 50, No. 425
  2. 2.[2.2]"Kościół św. Marii Magdaleny we Wrocławiu". PIK Wrocław (in Polish). Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  3. 3.[3.2]"Wrocław – St Mary Magdalene Church". Medieval Heritage. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  4. 4.[4.2]Czajka-Giełdon, Karol; Kirschke, Krystyna (2025). "History and Overview of the Unique Architecture of Pipe Organs in St. Mary Magdalene's Church in Wrocław (Poland) from the Middle Ages to the Present Day". Arts. 14 (5): 121. doi:10.3390/arts14050121.
  5. 5.Kulak, Teresa. Breslau: Ein historischer Stadtführer. Wydawnictwo Dolnoslaskie.