The cathedral's current towers were rebuilt after the 1945 destruction, but the original height was only restored in 2012 with the installation of new spires.
The altar inside the cathedral originates from the 16th century and was moved from a different church in Lubin to replace losses from WWII.
Ostrów Tumski, where the cathedral sits, was an island until the 19th century when one of the branches of the Oder River was filled in.
The cathedral contains one of the largest organs in Poland, originally built in 1913 by the Sauer company.
Several medieval stone sculptures on the exterior survived the 1945 bombing and remain integrated into the reconstructed walls.
Wrocław Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Wrocław. The current structure is a Gothic-style reconstruction, as the original building suffered near-total destruction during the Siege of Breslau in 1945. It features distinctive twin spires that rise 98 meters, serving as a prominent landmark on the city's skyline. The interior houses the notable Chapel of St. Elizabeth and the Chapel of the Elector, both renowned for their Baroque architecture. Visitors can access the observation deck located between the cathedral towers for panoramic views of the city. The cathedral stands on Ostrów Tumski, the oldest part of the city, which retains its historical character. Much of the original stone masonry was salvaged and reincorporated into the postwar restoration effort.
From the Tumski Bridge looking back toward the cathedral spires at sunset.
Use the elevator to reach the tower observation deck to save on a long climb.
Explore the surrounding Ostrów Tumski district during twilight to see the gas lamps being manually lit by the local lamplighter.
Look for the bullet holes still visible on some of the exterior stonework near the main entrance.
Do not mistake the smaller, nearby Collegiate Church of the Holy Cross for the main Cathedral.
Maintain a quiet volume; remove hats and ensure shoulders and knees are covered as this is an active place of worship.
