The first definite reference to Płock Cathedral dates from 1102, when Władysław I Herman was buried there. Prince Bolesław III Wrymouth and Bishop Aleksander of Malonne built a Romanesque cathedral, which was consecrated in 1144. After a fire in 1530, Bishop Andrzej Krzycki rebuilt it in Renaissance style between 1531 and 1535. Bernardino de Gianotis of Rome, Giovanni Cini da Siena and Philippo da Fiesole did the work.
Around 1560 Giovanni Battista of Venice added the choir and two western towers. The interior layout follows Renaissance basilicas in Rome, such as Sant'Agostino. The Royal Chapel holds a marble sarcophagus for Władysław I Herman and Bolesław III Wrymouth.
Stefan Szyller redesigned the west front in 1903. The cathedral is a Historic Monument of Poland, listed in 2018 with Tumskie Hill.
Comments