Oliwa Cathedral
O nas
The long brick basilica with a transept and a byway around the presbitery, was constructed in stages spanning the romantic and romantic-gothic (13th century) eras as well as the gothic (second half of the 14th century). The visible elements of the romantic-gothic basilica are the piers of the transept crossing, the domed arcades with half-columns with trapeze headstones. Significantly later in 1582 came the beautiful late gothic vaults topping the narrow main nave.
Later modifications concerned mainly the facade. In 1688 baroque columns were build at the main portal and in 1771 a late baroque steeple was put in (destroyed in 1945)
The cathedral is famous mainly for its rococo organ, played during summer concerts. It was conceived during 1763-88 by Jan Wulf of Orneta and then finished off by the Gdansk organmeister Frederyk Rudolf Dalirz. The organ consists of 7876 pipes made of wood. Inside the cathedral there are 23 altars artistically sculptured. Three architectural styles are represented: renaissance, baroque and rococo.
In the ambit is the chapel of the holy cross, also known as the Opacka Chapel. It's the oldest of the chapels found in the cathedral. Underneath is the bishop's crypt where the old bishops of Gdansk are buried.
In the cathedral is also the grave of the Pomeranian priests since Oliwa is historically a place where priests and their relatives were buried. Around 65 memners of the priesthood are buried in the northern presbiterium. The graveyard is not far from the entrance to the vestry and is of black marble in the form of a sarcophagus with a latin inscription: 'The graveyard of the exhalted Pomeranian priesthood, the founders of this building'
The organ fills the western side of the nave and is arranged around oval windows. The organ has an amazingly sculptured form, consisting of 25 figures: musical angels (with moving instruments in their hands), David, St. Cecilia, an orbiting sun as well as stars.
Since 1958 there has been the regular yearly summer Festival of International Organ Music.
20 minute organ concerts are held in the cathedral all year round:
January, Februaty, March: weekdays and Saturdays - 12.00, Sunday - 15.00
April: weekdays and Saturdays - 11.00, 12.00, Sunday - 15.00, 16.00
May: weekdays and Saturdays - 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00 Sunday - 15.00, 16.00
June:
weekdays - 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 15.00, 16.00
Saturdays - 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 15.00
Sundays - 15.00, 16.00, 17.00
July - August:
weekdays - 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 15.00, 16.00, 17.00
Saturdays - 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 15.00
Sundays - 15.00, 16.00, 17.00, 15 August - 15.00, 16.00, 17.00
September: weekdays and Saturdays - 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00 Sunday - 15.00, 16.00
October: weekdays and Saturdays - 11.00, 12.00, Sunday - 15.00
November - December: weekdays and Saturdays - 12.00, Sunday - 15.00
The music group Cappella Gedanensis often hold concerts here.
Within the cathedral complex there is also the beautifully restored cloister which now houses the Diocesan Museum which contains works of art, sculptures and ironwork from the ground of the dioses (including a wrought iron gate).
Later modifications concerned mainly the facade. In 1688 baroque columns were build at the main portal and in 1771 a late baroque steeple was put in (destroyed in 1945)
The cathedral is famous mainly for its rococo organ, played during summer concerts. It was conceived during 1763-88 by Jan Wulf of Orneta and then finished off by the Gdansk organmeister Frederyk Rudolf Dalirz. The organ consists of 7876 pipes made of wood. Inside the cathedral there are 23 altars artistically sculptured. Three architectural styles are represented: renaissance, baroque and rococo.
In the ambit is the chapel of the holy cross, also known as the Opacka Chapel. It's the oldest of the chapels found in the cathedral. Underneath is the bishop's crypt where the old bishops of Gdansk are buried.
In the cathedral is also the grave of the Pomeranian priests since Oliwa is historically a place where priests and their relatives were buried. Around 65 memners of the priesthood are buried in the northern presbiterium. The graveyard is not far from the entrance to the vestry and is of black marble in the form of a sarcophagus with a latin inscription: 'The graveyard of the exhalted Pomeranian priesthood, the founders of this building'
The organ fills the western side of the nave and is arranged around oval windows. The organ has an amazingly sculptured form, consisting of 25 figures: musical angels (with moving instruments in their hands), David, St. Cecilia, an orbiting sun as well as stars.
Since 1958 there has been the regular yearly summer Festival of International Organ Music.
20 minute organ concerts are held in the cathedral all year round:
January, Februaty, March: weekdays and Saturdays - 12.00, Sunday - 15.00
April: weekdays and Saturdays - 11.00, 12.00, Sunday - 15.00, 16.00
May: weekdays and Saturdays - 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00 Sunday - 15.00, 16.00
June:
weekdays - 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 15.00, 16.00
Saturdays - 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 15.00
Sundays - 15.00, 16.00, 17.00
July - August:
weekdays - 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 15.00, 16.00, 17.00
Saturdays - 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 15.00
Sundays - 15.00, 16.00, 17.00, 15 August - 15.00, 16.00, 17.00
September: weekdays and Saturdays - 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00 Sunday - 15.00, 16.00
October: weekdays and Saturdays - 11.00, 12.00, Sunday - 15.00
November - December: weekdays and Saturdays - 12.00, Sunday - 15.00
The music group Cappella Gedanensis often hold concerts here.
Within the cathedral complex there is also the beautifully restored cloister which now houses the Diocesan Museum which contains works of art, sculptures and ironwork from the ground of the dioses (including a wrought iron gate).