Oliwa Cathedral

Overview

Oliwa Cathedral (Katedra Oliwska) is a medieval Cistercian church in the Oliwa district, famous for its remarkable Rococo organ with 7,876 pipes and a series of moving figures. The 107-meter-long nave makes it one of the longest churches in Poland, and its ornate Baroque interior contrasts dramatically with the austere Romanesque-Gothic exterior.

Highlights

• Organ Concerts: Free 20-minute organ recitals are held multiple times daily in summer — an unmissable acoustic experience.
• Rococo Organ: Built between 1763 and 1788, featuring moving figures of angels that play trumpets as the organ sounds.
• Baroque Altars: 23 ornate side altars with intricate wood carvings and paintings.

History

Founded by Cistercian monks in 1186, the cathedral has survived fires, wars, and secularization. The current organ was built by Johann Wilhelm Wulff and is one of the finest Baroque instruments in Europe.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Check the organ concert schedule — recitals are typically at 10am, 11am, 12pm, and 1pm in summer.
• Tip 2: Combine with a stroll through the adjacent Oliwa Park.
• Duration: 30–45 minutes.