St John’s Church in Gdansk is the last surviving sacred building of its particular type and has a fascinating history.
The first mention of a small chapel dedicated to Saint John dates from 1358. By a decision of Gdansk commander Giselbert von Dudulsheim, the chapel became a branch of St Catherine’s Church. By the end of the fourteenth century, St John’s ranked second only to St Mary’s in terms of taxation. Construction of a three-aisled church began around 1360 and was completed at the beginning of the fifteenth century. Space was left for a tower to be added later, while the planned vaults were temporarily replaced by a timber ceiling.
A new chancel and transept were built in 1415. Construction of the tower also began, but the work was interrupted by a 1453 prohibition issued by the Teutonic Order against erecting buildings of such height near the castle. St John’s is a three-aisled hall church with a single-aisled transept. Each aisle of the nave and chancel is covered by a separate roof. The church is 55.10 metres long and 20.18 metres wide, while its four-storey tower rises to 47 metres.
Originally built as a church, the building has developed into a vibrant Baltic cultural centre. Despite scars left by the war, its interior has been carefully restored and equipped with modern stage and concert technology. St John’s now provides a unique setting for concerts and theatrical performances, bringing tradition and contemporary culture together.
