Description of the attraction
On Nowy Ogrody Street, which is a continuation of Stongevna Street, in 1387 a hospital and a chapel appeared next to it, consecrated in the name of St. Barbara. Subsequently, the small hospital church was expanded and transformed into a parish church. Significant changes in the external and internal appearance of the church took place in 1456. The church was almost completely destroyed by fire several times, but it was constantly rebuilt. At the same time, medieval builders changed something in its appearance, for example, in 1620 a high tower was added to the Gothic chapel, on which there are three ringing bells presented as a gift to the local community from the holy fathers of the diocese of Magdeburg.
In 1726-1728, the temple was enlarged due to the addition of another nave. It was decorated in a Baroque style and was located on the south side of the Church of St. Barbara.
This church has suffered more than once from the actions of enemy troops: for example, in 1571 it was destroyed by the army of Stefan Batory, and in 1807 it was devastated by Napoleon's soldiers. The Second World War also did not pass it by: part of the facade, several floors of the bell tower, the vaults of the nave of the church, and the ceiling in the side chapels were damaged. The restorers, who are restoring the church after such destruction, decided to remove the nave, which appeared at the beginning of the 18th century, and erect a new wall. The stained-glass windows for her windows were designed by the artist Barbara Massalskaya. The nave was decorated in a historical style, but the presbytery was made more modern. In the church, it is worth paying attention to 7 sculptural compositions that were previously kept in the National Museum of the city of Gdansk. Now they have found a second life and are admired by all visitors to the church.
