Saint Catherine of Alexandria church in Brodnica, Gothic church in Brodnica, Poland
The Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria is a brick building with a tall single tower and stellar vaults in the central nave, supported by octagonal pillars with profiled arcades. The choir extends from the nave and forms a characteristic Gothic hall church layout.
Construction started in the third quarter of the 13th century and underwent several rebuilding phases after the choir was damaged in 1298 through the 14th century. The building evolved from its original plan into its complete form across these centuries.
The interior displays Gothic wooden sculptures of the twelve Apostles and medieval painted decorations with leaf patterns covering the walls and vaults. Small inscriptions carved directly into the stone and plaster can be found throughout the space.
The building stands northeast of the Large Market Square on Farna Street in the Old Town district and is partially enclosed by a brick wall. The location is easy to find from the surrounding streets and allows for a walk through the city's historic lanes.
The building was the first structure in the Chelmno region to introduce stellar vaults with figural and animal motifs on the decorative bosses dating from the 14th century. These architectural details marked an important step in how the area's builders approached church design.
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