Opole Cathedral

Cathedral of the Holy Cross Exaltation – Gothic pride of Opole

The monumental Cathedral of the Holy Cross Exaltation, built of red brick, is one of the most recognizable symbols of Opole and a true gem of Gothic architecture. Its two slender towers, rising to an impressive height of 76 meters, dominate the cityscape, making the cathedral the tallest building in Opole.

Although today it is hard to imagine the Opole parish church without these characteristic towers, they only appeared in the 19th century – construction work was completed in 1899, giving the temple a lightness and majestic character.

The history of this exceptional place, however, goes much further back. The current Gothic temple was built in the 15th century on the foundations of earlier churches from the 11th and 13th centuries. The first temple is said to have been established during the reign of Bolesław the Brave, making this place one of the oldest sacred sites in the region.

The cathedral not only fascinates with its architecture but also serves as a silent witness to over a thousand years of Opole's history.