Cathedral Basilica of St James

Szczecin


Head downhill from the city centre to explore Szczecin’s 12th-century cathedral, partially destroyed by Red Army shells in 1945 and reconstructed in 1972. It’s the early 1970s renovation you’ll notice first, an incongruously modern facade more reminiscent of a derelict factory than a place of worship. As a foreigner you’re certain to be cherry-picked to shell out the 8zł admission, then proceed to the nave where a forest of red-brick columns provides perspective to an interior lacking atmosphere.

On the right, almost at the end of the nave, a plaque remembering those who perished in the 2010 Smolensk air disaster sits below another to the Katyń victims they were on their way to honour. Otherwise, possibly the world’s tiniest crypt and some impressive stained glass are the only other distractions, along with the tower where a lift winches you up to striking views of the river.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Szczecin attractions

1. Historical Museum of Szczecin

0.17 MILES

Szczecin's 15th-century Gothic Town Hall, one of the most architecturally fascinating buildings in the city with its monster red-brick gable, is the only…

2. National Museum's Department of Art

0.2 MILES

The National Museum’s Art Gallery resides in an 18th-century palace that formerly served as the Pomeranian parliament. It displays a collection of…

3. Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes

0.22 MILES

This castle is the mother of all Szczecin monuments. This vast, blocky building looms over the Old Town, but the square central courtyard and simple…

4. Town Hall

0.24 MILES

Szczecin's huge former town hall is a red-brick colossus dating from the late 19th century. It now houses various obscure maritime institutions.

5. Museum of Technology & Transport

1.72 MILES

This surprisingly good museum 2.5km north of the centre has a fascinating collection of vehicles, mostly of Polish origin – interesting as today Poland…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "poland/pomerania/szczecin/attractions/cathedral-basilica-of-st-james/a/poi-sig/479482/360321",
      "destination": "Szczecin",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Poland",
      "city": "Szczecin",
      "position": "superzone"
    }