If you happen to be in Gdańsk looking for a great historic place to visit or an interesting cultural event you certainly cannot miss St. John’s Centre which is not only a unique Gothic Church, but also a lively cultural centre. 

The 14th century Gothic St. John’s Church is one of the last Gdańsk monuments to be reconstructed after World War II. Until the end of the war the building was used for worship; damaged in fire in 1945 and partly reconstructed in the 1950 and later in the 1980s.

The church, belonging to the State Treasury, remained unused until 1991, when it was handed over to the Gdańsk Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church.

In 1995 the Archdiocese of Gdańsk signed an agreement with the Baltic Sea Cultural Centre concerning the loan of St John’s church with the intention of its reconstruction, conservation and conversion for cultural purposes. Conservation works encompassed both the outside facades of the church and the whole church’s  interior; during the conservation of walls a number of interesting, previously concealed paintings were revealed, medieval and modern, dating back to different periods in the church’s history. The elements of the original furnishing of the church were restored. They form a permanent exhibition of the surviving cultural heritage of this place, opened for the visitors daily.

The church was also provided with technical equipment necessary for the operation of the Cultural Centre – professional stage lighting, sound and multimedia system and revolving seats for the audience.

Combining tradition with high-tech equipment has contributed to a wider and enhanced range of cultural events and tourist attractions offered by the Centre.

St John’s church had become a state-of-the-art concert and performance venue, as well as a unique exhibition space for sacred and modern art.

 

St. John's Centre is open for public daily from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm