Church of St Adalbert in Bytom

The Church of St Adalbert on Plac Klasztorny in Bytom is a former Franciscan monastery church, built in the mid-15th century. It is a single-nave hall church, Baroque, with a Gothic chancel.

From monastery to parish

The first, wooden church with a Franciscan monastery was built in Bytom in 1257-1258 at the invitation of Duke Władysław of Opole. In 1430 the friars were driven out of the town, and in 1440 the Observant branch returned, replacing the wooden buildings with brick ones before 1450. In 1454 John of Capistrano preached a sermon in the church.

In the 18th century the church was rebuilt in the Baroque style: a main nave, a tower with a porch and a new façade were added. After secularisation in 1810 the monastery was taken over by the town and a school was set up in it, and in 1833 the church was sold to the Evangelical parish. It returned to the Catholics after the Second World War, formally in 1947. Since 1952 the church has again been run by the Franciscans, and the rebuilding was completed in 1964.

Architecture

The building is of brick with elements of stone. Under the chancel there is a walled-up crypt, which is not accessible. Of the former furnishings two Baroque figures of Saints Peter and Paul from the 18th century remain; the rest of the interior is modern. Since 1997 the parish has had relics of St Adalbert brought from Prague. In the area lies, among other things, the Silesian Opera building.

Practical information

• Address: Plac Klasztorny, Bytom
• A parish church; the Franciscan monastery stands opposite
• Information about access to the interior is given on the website franciszkanie.bytom.pl