St. Elizabeth's Church, Wrocław

St. Elizabeth's Church, Wrocław
Kościół Św. Elżbiety (Polish)
Basic information
Location Wrocław, Poland
Affiliation Roman Catholic
District Old Town
Architectural description
Architectural style Gothic
Completed 14th century
Specifications
Height (max) 91.5 m
Materials Brick

St. Elizabeth's Church of the Catholic Third Order of Saint Francis is a Gothic church in Wrocław, Poland. It is one of the most iconic structures of the city's panorama.

History

The structure dates back to the 14th century, when construction was commissioned by the city. The main tower was originally 130 meters tall. From 1525 until 1946, St. Elizabeth's was the chief Lutheran Church of Breslau/Wroclaw and Silesia. In 1946 it was expropriated and given to the Military Chaplaincy of the Polish Roman Catholic Church. The church was damaged by heavy hail in 1529, and gutted by fire in 1976. The church's renowned organ was destroyed. The reconstructed main tower is now 91.5 meters tall. An observation deck near the top is open to the public. Since 1999 there is a memorial on the church property to Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a native of the city (then Breslau, Germany) and martyr to the anti-Nazi Cause.

St. Elisabeth Church, view from Dom Handlowy Feniks 
St. Elisabeth Church, 14th century, with 130 m spire 
Interior 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Saint Elisabeth of Hungary church in Wrocław.

See also

Coordinates: 51°6′42″N 17°1′48″E / 51.11167°N 17.03000°E / 51.11167; 17.03000


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