St. Elizabeth's Church, Wrocław

St. Elizabeth's Church, Wrocław Kościół Św. Elżbiety (Polish)
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Basic information
Location	Wrocław, Poland
Affiliation	Roman Catholic
District	Old Town
Architectural description
Architectural style	Gothic
Completed	14th century
Specifications
Height (max)	91.5 m
Materials	Brick

St. Elizabeth's Church of the Catholic Third Order of Saint Francis is a Gothic church in Wrocław, Poland. It is one of the most iconic structures of the city's panorama.

History

The structure dates back to the 14th century, when construction was commissioned by the city. The main tower was originally 130 meters tall. From 1525 until 1946, St. Elizabeth's was the chief Lutheran Church of Breslau/Wroclaw and Silesia. In 1946 it was expropriated and given to the Military Chaplaincy of the Polish Roman Catholic Church. The church was damaged by heavy hail in 1529, and gutted by fire in 1976. The church's renowned organ was destroyed. The reconstructed main tower is now 91.5 meters tall. An observation deck near the top is open to the public. Since 1999 there is a memorial on the church property to Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a native of the city (then Breslau, Germany) and martyr to the anti-Nazi Cause.

St. Elisabeth Church, view from Dom Handlowy Feniks St. Elisabeth Church, view from Dom Handlowy Feniks  St. Elisabeth Church, 14th century, with 130 m spire St. Elisabeth Church, 14th century, with 130 m spire  Interior Interior

See also

• List of tallest churches