St Mary Magdalene Church, Wrocław

St. Mary Magdalene Church Kościół Św. Magdaleny we Wrocławiu (in Polish)
View from Szewska street
Religion
Affiliation	Old Catholic
District	Old Town
Location
Location	Wrocław, Poland
Architecture
Style	Romanesque, Brick Gothic
Completed	before 15th century
Materials	Brick

St. Mary Magdalene Church in Wrocław, Poland, is a gothic church located between Szewska and Laciarska street close to the central market square, established in the 13th century. It serves as a cathedral of the Polish Catholic Church led by Piotr Mikołajczak. Along with the Old Town of Wrocław, it is listed as a Historic Monument of Poland.^[1]

On 21 October 1523, the city's first Lutheran services were held in the church.^[2] The church is named after Jesus' companion Mary Magdalene.

Description

During the Second World War the church was seriously damaged. In 1945 the legendary Sinner's Bell, which was the biggest Silesian bell, was also damaged. St Mary Magdalene was rebuilt during the period 1947–1953.

The most precious relic of the church is a Romanesque portal dating from the 12th century, coming from a Benedictine monastery in Ołbin that had been torn down in the 16th century.

The bridge connecting the two towers is called the "Mostek Czarownic" (Witches’ Bridge). A legend says that the shadows visible on the bridge are the souls of the girls who used to seduce men without wanting to be married, being scared of housekeeping. Indeed, shadows represent women with brooms in their hands.^{[clarification needed]}

Bibliography

• Malgorzata Urlich-Kornacka A guide to Wrocław
• Beata Maciejewska Spacerownik Wrocławski

References

External links

• St. Mary Magdalene church virtual tour

51°06′34″N 17°02′05″E / 51.10944°N 17.03472°E / 51.10944; 17.03472

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This page was last edited on 24 April 2023, at 13:54