The monumental, five-nave basilica in Kolobrzeg is the city’s most valuable building. The temple has its origins in the Middle Ages. Since then, it has been destroyed and raised from ruins many times. The last major reconstruction took place in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was only then that the reconstruction of the basilica from the war damage was completed
The date when the construction of the parish church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kołobrzeg began is not known exactly. It is believed that it was begun at the beginning of the 14th century. Over the centuries, the church was extended
The Basilica of Kolobrzeg from the east, from Ratuszowa Street. Photo: JDavid, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
At the end of the 15th century, the north and south towers were combined into one massive tower block by bricking up the gap between them. A central helmet was added and thus gave the church the final monumental appearance that, with some minor changes, we can observe today. From the 14th century, St Mary’s Church in Kolobrzeg served as a collegiate church. From the 16th century, the building was a Lutheran temple – initially of the Pomeranian Evangelical Church, and from 1817 of the Prussian Union Church
1901 and 2021 , Cathedral Street with the basilica. On the right, the church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Source: Deutsche Fotothek www.deutschefotothek.de and Aw58, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Marketplace in Kolobrzeg and view of the basilica in 1901 and 2021. Source: Deutsche Fotothek www.deutschefotothek.de and Google Maps
In 1945, during the battles for the Kolobrzeg Fortress (Festung Kolberg), the cathedral was an important point of defence for the city. The seaside resort was almost wiped off the face of the earth. Losses were estimated at 95%. The church itself was severely damaged by Soviet artillery shelling. After the Second World War, the ruins of the church were initially intended to be demolished. However, in 1957 it was handed over to the Catholic Church and reconstruction began. In 1958, the presbytery of the collegiate church was consecrated and the first Mass was celebrated there. In the 1960s, by decision of the communist authorities, the unreconstructed part of the church was used to house the Museum of Polish Arms and heavy military equipment from the war was exhibited in the nave
1901 and 2021 , Cathedral Street with the basilica. Source: Deutsche Fotothek www.deutschefotothek.de and Grzegorz W. Tężycki, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In 1974, the entire church was returned to the place of worship and further reconstruction began. In 1972, St Mary’s Church in Kolobrzeg was established as the concathedral of the Diocese of Koszalin and Kolobrzeg. In 1979, the church was restored as a collegiate church. In 1980, a parish was established at the cathedral. In 1986, Pope John Paul II raised the parish church in Kołobrzeg to the dignity of a basilica minor. The church was destroyed by war many times over the centuries, and as a result, there are not many historical decorative elements or monuments of sacred art preserved in its interior
Source: kolobrzeg.eu
Read also: Architecture | Renovation | Monument | History | Sacral architecture | Interesting facts
