Basilica of the Annunciation in Pułtusk

The Basilica of the Annunciation in Pułtusk is a three-nave church with remarkable Renaissance barrel vaults decorated with hundreds of floral and geometric patterns. These vaults were created by Giovanni Battista from Venice and define the interior with their carefully executed ornamental details.

Bishop Paweł Giżycki founded this church in 1449 as an important religious center in the region. It became the second most important religious site in the Płock diocese after Płock Cathedral and received its characteristic Renaissance vaults at a later time.

The name refers to the Annunciation of Mary, a central theme expressed in the main altar and artworks inside. This religious focus shaped how worshippers experienced the space and continues to define its spiritual purpose today.

The church stands at the northern edge of the market square, making it easy to locate in the town center. Regular Catholic services take place inside, so visitors should respect religious customs when the building is in active use for worship.

The Renaissance vault decorations went undiscovered until 1994, hidden for centuries before their revealing. This rediscovery proved so significant for art history that the vaults became known as the Pułtusk ceiling.