Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel

The Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel in Łomża is the oldest monument in the city and entire northeast Poland. It was built from 1504 to 1525 and founded by Princess Anna of Masovia. Because of war damages during the Swedish Deluge, its Gothic decor was changed to the Baroque, pseudo-basilica interior.

Despite late-Gothic features, the church's upper part of the pediment has Baroque look. It was achieved in the 17th century in one of the renovations. The cathedral consists of three naves of which two were lowered. Gorgeous vaults can be admired here: stellar and network in the main nave and diamond vaults inside naves, rarely seen in Masovia.

There are many valuable pieces of art inside. They include, among others, Gothic tombstones, Renaissance statues, and the late-Renaissance altar. The most valuable and oldest monument is the miraculous painting of Our Lady of Łomża from the 16th century. It is situated in the chapel in the right nave. It was crowned by John Paul II himself during his pilgrimage to Łomża in 1991.

At the beginning of the 21st century, a crypt was discovered during one of the renovations. Ten graves and about 70 human remains were found during excavation works. Two priests, including the builder of the cathedral, were buried there.