Close message

Hi there. We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. Find out more about how we use cookies.

You can update your settings by clicking the Cookie Policy link which can be found anytime at the bottom of the page.

Toruń Sights

Cathedral of Ss John the Baptist & John the Evangelist

1 reviews | Write a review

Good for: architecture, history, children, beautiful churches, art history lovers

Not good for: party animals, Alcohol

  • Address
    • ul Św Jana
  • Price
    • donation adult/child 2/1zł, tower 6/4zł

Correct these details

Lonely Planet review for Cathedral of Ss John the Baptist & John the Evangelist

Of the historical buildings outside the museum’s administration, the largest and most impressive is the giant Gothic Cathedral of SS John the Baptist & John the Evangelist. Work started around 1260 and was only completed at the end of the 15th century, by which time the church dominated the town’s skyline, as it still does today. Its massive tower houses Poland’s second-largest historic bell (after the one in the Wawel Royal Cathedral of Kraków), the Tuba Dei (God’s Trumpet). Cast in 1530, it weighs 7238kg and is rung for significant religious and national events. On the southern side of the tower, facing the Vistula, is a large 15th-century clock; its original face and single hand are still in working order. Check out the dent above the VIII – it’s from a cannonball that struck the clock during the Swedish siege of 1703.

 

Traveller reviews for Cathedral of Ss John the Baptist & John the Evangelist (1)

  • Avatar
    To write a review sign in, register or   Connect_light_large_long
    Recommend
     
    Add your experience “ ”
    Say more…
  • Avatar

    Beautiful, atmospheric Cathedral

    khrystene recommends this,

    This is a stunning Cathedral with a plethora of artistic pieces.

    Don't miss the rare, black and white 17th C(?) Polychrome (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychrome) of "The Plague" (dżuma) on the upper nave of the church. (Turn your back to the altar and look up towards the ceiling, on the left side towards the back.)

    When it's open you can climb up the steep, narrow stairs to the bell tower and get a superb view of the surrounding area. (Warning, this is not for the faint of heart as the staircase is very narrow, steep and high.)

    Last time I was there (and I doubt it's changed) the Cathedral was not heated, so in Winter, the temperature can be quite cold. In Summer, that makes for a pleasant respite.

    Just one note, even though you wouldn't do it in French or English churches, people tend to take lots of flash photographs in Polish Churches and Cathedrals - PLEASE DON'T! Flash photography damages the paintings and if you see them you will see how old some of them are and honestly, they don't have the cash on hand to repair them as easily. So just be respectful and don't use flash photography, trun off your flash and use a tripod.

    Also, on the respect card, this is a working church, so if you see people praying, pleasebe respectful of their space.

    Good for: architecture, history, children, beautiful churches, art history lovers, photographers, historian

    Not good for: party animals, Alcohol

    report