Poznań Cathedral

The Archcathedral Basilica of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Poznań is the oldest Polish cathedral and also one of the oldest churches in the country. The temple is a unique monument, because it is the burial place of the first rulers of Poland and most probably it was place where Mieszko I, the first historical ruler or Poland, was baptized. Inside, it is worth seeing many valuable works of art, a beautiful main altar, a baptismal font, and 18th century pulpit.

Inside, the main altar showing the Mother of God together with Saint Catherine, Saint Barbara, and 12 other saints deserves attention. In addition, extremely valuable monuments are Gothic choir stalls, a collection of coffin portraits from the 18th century, and a copy of the sword of Saint Peter - the original one can be looked over in the Archdiocesan Museum. In the Golden Chapel, there is a neo-Gothic sarcophagus of the first rulers. In the basement visitors can see fragments of the original cathedral, the tombs of the first rulers, and the baptistery.

The first cathedral had been built in the 10th century. It was destroyed, and in its place a new object of Romanesque style was created. A large part of the temple was rebuilt in the Gothic style. The present appearance of the basilica was created in the 20th century. It is comprised of three naves and is surrounded by a wreath of chapels, two sacristies, and a south porch.