St. Mary's Church

Great free church in the centre. The place has an amazing astronomical clock which chimes at 12 pm every day. The church is very busy during this period. There is also a tower with 400 steps, giving panoramic views of the city for a fee.

We made time for St. Mary’s Church and it quickly became one of our favorite stops in Gdańsk. Walking inside, you feel instantly dwarfed by the soaring vaults, crisp white walls, and softly filtered light streaming through stained glass—there’s a quiet majesty to it that surprised us. Seeing hundreds of memorial plaques and walking past dozens of small chapels gave the place a peaceful sense of history and reflection. Then we stumbled upon the astronomical clock—it’s huge, with wooden figures that move around at just before noon. It felt charmingly medieval.

While the church is impressive from the outside and historically significant, the interior felt quite plain and underwhelming. There are a few interesting elements, like the astronomical clock and some old tombstones, but overall it lacks the detail you might expect from such a large structure.

St. Mary’s Church in Gdańsk, also known as the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is a monumental Gothic structure and one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Constructed between 1343 and 1502, it stands as the largest brick church in the world, capable of accommodating up to 25,000 people.  The interior is vast and serene, featuring over 300 tombstones, 31 chapels, and 37 windows that allow natural light to illuminate the space. A highlight is the 15th-century astronomical clock, standing 14 meters tall, which showcases intricate mechanisms displaying the time, date, lunar phases, and zodiac positions. At noon, a procession of figures, including Adam and Eve, the Three Kings, and the Apostles, emerges, captivating visitors with its historical charm.   For panoramic views of Gdańsk, visitors can climb the church’s 78-meter tower via 409 steps. The ascent is steep and narrow in places, so it’s advisable to wear comfortable footwear and be prepared for a physically demanding climb. The effort is rewarded with stunning vistas of the city’s Old Town and beyond.  Admission to the church is free, while access to the tower requires a small fee. Opening hours vary seasonally, so it’s recommended to check the official website before visiting.  Overall, St. Mary’s Church offers a profound glimpse into Gdańsk’s rich history and architectural grandeur, making it a must-visit for those exploring the city.

One of the place to be in Gdansk! This is the biggest Gothic Church globally with 5000m2 area, equivalent to up to 25000 people. You can see the protestant / calviniste simple interior, it change in 1945 after the war when Dansk got polish and catholic. This church is delighted to our queen Mary. Very nice is the triptych close by the astronomical clock. My personal likes are the frescoes on the last right niche. Fortunately, the outside walls of the church didn’t get destroyed or damaged during world war II

This building is beautiful both externally and internally. I would caution taking the spiral staircase (it cost £4). The first 100 spiral steps are long, low and very narrow - and without a handrail, so it feels quite dangerous especially if busy. There are limited places for a rest or passing. The last 300 or so steps are much safer. If you do you reach the top, you are rewarded with excellent views over Gdansk and out to the Baltic Sea. I'd strongly recommend installing handrails as a minimum for safety - I'd visit the building again but not climb the stairs. "Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things?" Acts 7:48-50

Very big church with lots of things to see inside, such as working astronomical clock that plays at noon Breathtaking view form the tower, definitely worth the price and those stairs!

St. Mary’s Church is truly breathtaking. Every corner hides incredible details, and the architecture inspires awe. It feels less like a building and more like a masterpiece carved out of history.