St. Catherine's Church

Stepping inside St. Catherine’s Church reveals one of Gdańsk’s most atmospheric Gothic interiors, where light, silence and centuries of history blend naturally. The central nave is impressive in scale, with its high vaulted ceiling and warm brick walls that highlight the church’s medieval character. Several details stand out immediately: the richly decorated main altarpiece, the finely carved wooden confessional and the sculpted panels showing saints in delicate gold accents. Side chapels offer a more intimate atmosphere, including the one dedicated to St. Catherine herself, framed by a beautifully restored neo-Gothic altar. Throughout the church, artworks and historical elements are displayed with care, from large canvas paintings undergoing restoration to smaller devotional corners that add to the overall charm. Despite ongoing maintenance in some areas, the visit remains fully enjoyable and gives a clear sense of the building’s cultural and spiritual importance within the Old Town. A peaceful stop, ideal for anyone interested in architecture, heritage and sacred art.

Visited the church to attend Chopin’s concert, I was impressed and would recommend anyone to have this experience. It is one hour recital and a pianist performs Chopins most famous pieces, before playing them, he gave a good explanation what he was going to perform for us. I loved it

This church is nice; glad we stopped in. The space inside is beautiful in that quiet, slightly raw kind of way. You can really feel the history in the walls, especially knowing it’s one of the oldest churches in Gdańsk. One of our favorite parts was Zejście do Krypty—a small crypt exhibit downstairs. It's not that big, but really atmospheric and gives a kind of reverent, haunting glimpse into the past. Definitely a peaceful stop, even in the middle of a busy sightseeing day.

Chopin and friends - Candles lights concerts. Played a piano solo for approximately 50 minutes. The song program always includes only 50-70 percent of the repertoire listed online. In the summer, it's still very bright in the crypt throughout the entire concert hour. There's no candlelight atmosphere, even with 20 LED candles around the grand piano. Online booking is problematic. No dedicated website. Booking through third-party vendors. Conclusion: A small, daily musical offering. But don't expect too much.

Visiting this place left a deep impression. From the very first steps you feel a special energy, power and spirit of history that has been preserved here over the centuries. High domes, huge brick walls, ancient interior elements create the feeling that you are entering another era, where every detail holds its secret. The space is filled with silence, but it is not empty - on the contrary, as if the very air is saturated with memory, prayers and traces of people who have been coming here for hundreds of years.

Over 300 steps to the top but fantastic view, worth the effort

Went for a Chopin classical piano concert. A very special and recommended experience.

St. Catherine's Church (Kościół św. Katarzyny) is the oldest church in Gdańsk, Poland, with origins dating back to the 1220s. Over the centuries, it has undergone numerous renovations and additions, resulting in its current Gothic architectural style.​ Historical Significance Founding and Development: Construction began in the 1220s, and the church evolved over the centuries, reaching its final form in the mid-15th century. ​ Lonely Planet Religious Affiliation: From 1545 until the end of World War II in 1945, St. Catherine's Church served as a Protestant place of worship. ​ Notable Features: The church houses the tomb of astronomer Johannes Hevelius, who also served as its church administrator. ​ Architectural Highlights Tower and Carillon: The 76-meter tower is equipped with a 50-bell carillon, which chimes every hour. ​ Museum of Turret Clocks: The tower also contains a museum showcasing tower clock mechanisms dating back to the 15th century. ​