In the southern part of Warsaw, the Orthodox Church of St Sophia the Divine Wisdom has recently stood. The temple was conceived from the outset as a contemporary reference to Byzantine architecture, and its clear references to the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul meant that it soon began to be referred to as the Polish equivalent of the famous temple of Constantinople. The building incorporates historical inspirations and current solutions, creating one of the most original and recognisable religious buildings in contemporary Warsaw.
Polish Hagia Sophia – location and circumstances of its construction
The church is located in the Ursynów district of the city, in the Jeziorki Południowe housing estate at 568 Puławska St. The land for the project was acquired by the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church after receiving compensation for the property lost in Wola after the war. The construction was preceded by preparations started in 2015. In the same year, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople consecrated the cornerstone. The location on the outskirts of Ursynów was a thoughtful choice, as a large group of Orthodox believers live in this part of the city. The new building also began to influence the development of the area, becoming a recognisable feature of the local landscape. As construction progressed, parish activity began to concentrate around the church.
Project of the Orthodox Church of St. Sofia of the Divine Wisdom
The author of the project is the architect Andrzej Markowski from Warsaw. The temple was planned as a free interpretation of traditional Byzantine forms. References to Hagia Sophia are clear in the composition of the mass, proportions and layout of the space. This was emphasised by the project developer and representatives of the Orthodox Church. The central dome surrounded by smaller ones, the harmonious juxtaposition of massive walls with narrow window openings and the use of structures that allow the interior to be illuminated create clear references to historical patterns. Despite the wide range of inspirations, the temple has been designed to take advantage of current technologies and to respond to the needs of a contemporary parish.
Polish Hagia Sophia – architecture and details
The building is 36.9 metres long and 30 metres wide. Its height reaches 21.6 metres including a central dome with a diameter of 16.2 metres. Its covering is made of copper and it is topped with an isosceles cross, a characteristic of Byzantine culture. The height of the building was adapted to the regulations governing buildings along the Chopin Airport approach route. The church’s facades are lined with sandstone from Szydłowiec, and its magnificent interiors are decorated with mosaics and frescoes. The church has two altars, including a side altar dedicated to St Pantelemon. The entrances form a traditional layout: the main one is located on the west side and the two side entrances on the north and south sides. The belfry is equipped with eight bells.
Construction stages
In 2018, the first Holy Liturgy was celebrated in the unfinished temple and a cross was placed on the main dome. In February 2020, the bells were consecrated. In the autumn of the same year, the so-called small consecration of the church took place, after which regular services began. The ceremonial consecration of the church took place in May 2023 under the leadership of Metropolitan Sava. In 2025, the church became the venue for the historic ceremony of the canonisation of the Katyn martyrs.
Significance of the Church of St Sofia of Divine Wisdom
The Church of St Sofia the Divine Wisdom is the first free-standing Orthodox church to be built in Warsaw in more than a century. It was built as an expression of gratitude for the political changes in Poland and the anniversary of the gaining of autocephaly by the Polish Orthodox Church. In a symbolic way, it refers to the traditions of Eastern Christianity and its ancient cultural centres. Its architecture recalls the spiritual heritage of the Orthodox Church, introducing it into the space of the modern capital.
Source: hagiasophia.waw.pl
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