Saint Nicholas Church

About

Basilica of Saint Nicholas (Polish: Bazylika św. Mikołaja; German: Nikolaikirche) is a Brick Gothic church situated in the Old Town of Gdańsk, Poland. Constructed between the 14th and 15th centuries, the basilica currently serves the Dominican Order. It remains the only historic church of central Gdańsk which escaped damage during World War II.

History: The present site was first occupied by a small place of worship or church in the Romanesque style, constructed in approximately 1185–90. It was situated on the via mercatorum trade route, which allowed the early church to be attended by foreign merchants and sailors arriving in the city. On 22 January 1227, Świętopełk II, Duke of Pomerania, entrusted the church to the Dominican friars, who were invited to the region by Saint Hyacinth of Poland. It was consecrated by the papal legate William of Modena in 1239. In 1260, Pope Alexander IV granted the Dominicans the right to organise an annual church kermesse (festival) on 4 August. It soon transformed into what is now the St. Dominic's Fair, a cultural and trade event held between July and August by the city authorities. The current Brick Gothic structure was largely erected after...