St Adalbert's Church in Wrocław

St Adalbert's Church at Dominican Square in Wrocław's Old Town is one of the city's largest and oldest Gothic churches, run by the Dominicans.

History

The Dominicans arrived in Wrocław in 1226, and in the 1220s and 1230s they began building a new, Romanesque church on this site. From the mid-13th century the church was extended in the Gothic style: a new chancel began construction in 1295 and was completed before 1330, and the tower was finished in 1359. Around 1466 a side chapel dedicated to St Joseph was added.

Architecture and interior

The building has a transept and a polygonal chancel closure, and its late Gothic façade is decorated with a ceramic gable. The interior originally housed fourteen late Gothic altars and stained glass. The Baroque Chapel of Blessed Czesław from 1711-1730 survives, with an alabaster sarcophagus, along with a Rococo altar with the miraculous image of Our Lady of Podkamień, which came to the church in 1959. The interior also contains a rebuilt organ and contemporary stained glass.

Current function

The church serves as a double shrine: of Blessed Czesław and of Our Lady of Podkamień. It is cared for by the Dominicans, whose monastery has operated by the church since 1951, following post-war reconstruction.

Nearby

A few hundred metres away lies the Market Square with the surrounding Old Town buildings.

In the same area stands the Town Hall, and not far away also the Market Hall.

Within walking distance is also the Panorama of the Battle of Racławice.

Practical information

• Address: plac Dominikański 2-4, Wrocław (entrance from ul. Klemensa Janickiego), Old Town district
• Mass times according to the parish website: on Sundays and holy days at 9:00, 10:30, 12:00, 16:00, 17:00 (except July-September), 18:30, 20:00 and 21:30; on weekdays at 7:00, 9:00, 12:00, 17:00 and 19:00
• Confession on weekdays from 14:00 to 20:00 (from 16:00 in summer)
• Opening hours and visiting rules outside of Mass are worth confirming directly before a visit