Cathedral Basilica of St. James the Apostle, Gothic cathedral in Szczecin, Poland
The Cathedral Basilica of St. James the Apostle is a red brick church in Szczecin whose pointed tower reaches over 110 meters (361 feet). The walls follow a northern German pattern with tall buttresses and narrow windows divided by vertical lines.
A merchant from Bamberg founded the first church on this site in 1187, which became a bishop's seat in the following century. After the Reformation it changed to Lutheran worship and returned to Catholic use only in 1945.
The building bears the name of Saint James, whose pilgrimage routes cross Europe. Today visitors see neo-Gothic altars and stained glass windows created after the destruction of the 20th century.
The observation platform in the tower opens on most days and offers an open view over the rooftops toward the Oder River. The climb requires several flights of stairs, but the effort is rewarded with a wide perspective.
The main organ floats above the nave, held only by a counterweight in the choir without visible supports beneath the pipes. This system allowed the space under the instrument to remain clear and the upward view open.
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