Collegiate Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the World Guide
Majesty in Brick: Discover Stargard's Collegiate Church Guide
Prepare to be awestruck by the Collegiate Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the World, a towering testament to Gothic architecture in Stargard. This magnificent church isn't just a building; it's a journey through centuries of history and artistry, a place where the echoes of the past resonate within its soaring vaults. Whether you're a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply seeking a moment of tranquility, this church offers an unforgettable experience. The Collegiate Church's history stretches back to the 13th century, with construction spanning several phases. Originally conceived as a smaller parish church, its ambition grew over time, culminating in the impressive structure we see today. The church witnessed the rise and fall of empires, survived wars and fires, and adapted to changing religious landscapes. Its brick facade, a hallmark of Baltic Gothic architecture, tells a silent story of resilience and enduring faith. Look closely at the intricate details of the facade, the stained glass windows, and the carefully crafted sculptures – each element contributes to the church's unique character. Visitors can explore the church's interior, marveling at its high vaulted ceilings and the play of light through the stained glass. Guided tours are often available, offering deeper insights into the church's history and architectural significance. Don't miss the opportunity to climb the tower for panoramic views of Stargard and the surrounding landscape. While Stargard doesn't have a specific culinary tradition tied directly to the church, be sure to explore the local restaurants and cafes for traditional Polish cuisine, such as pierogi (dumplings) and kielbasa (sausage).
Transportation
From the Stargard train station, you can take bus line 2, 5, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200 to the 'Rynek Staromiejski' (Old Town Market Square) stop, which is a short walk from the church. Alternatively, a pleasant walk from the station will take approximately 15-20 minutes.