Szlaki województw śląskiego i opolskiego

The Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Opolewas created in the 15th century on the site of earlier temples from the 11th and 13th centuries. Inside, the painting of Our Lady of Opole, which came to the cathedral from Piekary Śląskieat the beginning of the 18th century, deserves special attention. Built using Early Gothic and Gothic forms, the cathedral church is one of the more recognizable places in the Old Town space of the city, and thanks to the 73-meter towers, also the highest building in Opole. The first church in the place where the Opole cathedral stands was, according to tradition, supposed to be created during the times of the later Polish king Bolesław Chrobry at the beginning of the 11th century. In the first half of the 13th century, a collegiate chapter was established at the Opole church, which forced the expansion of the temple. During the times of the last Opole Piast, Duke Jan Dobry, whose modern sarcophagus is located in the church, the temple was rebuilt in the Late Gothic style. The side chapels on the north and south sides come from this period. Inside, the vault, the main altar, and the stone baptismal font attract attention, as well as the painting of Our Lady of Opole, which came to the cathedral from Piekary Śląskie at the beginning of the 18th century. Relics of the Wood of the Holy Cross, which were a gift from the Bishop of Wrocław, Klemens, are stored in the church. Possession of the relics significantly raised the rank of the temple and the Opole stronghold to such an extent that the symbol of half of the holy cross – next to the Piast eagle – was found in the coat of arms of Opole. Furthermore, bronze gates of the temple with biblical figures and scenes depicting events from the history of the church, Poland, and Opole are located in the cathedral. They were funded in 1997, on the thousandth anniversary of the death of St. Adalbert and on the occasion of the jubilee of the 700th anniversary of the parish's existence. Practical information: Sightseeing daily except during mass hours. At the entrance to the cathedral from Koraszewskiego Street, there is a Pilgrimage and Tourist Information Point "Porta Cathedralis", where you can purchase books, folders, pictures, and other information materials. In 12 places of the cathedral, there are information plaques with a QR code, which after scanning allows you to listen to the history... Free admission. Sightseeing time: 1 hour. Guide reservation at phone no.: 691 107 318 from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.