The Field Cathedral of the Polish Army (Katedra Polowa Wojska Polskiego) in Warsaw has risen from rubble and reinvented itself on more than one occasion, thus becoming a symbol of the faith and endurance of the Polish Army.
Originally constructed for the Piarist friars, the building was to serve as a place of worship for the teachers and students of the monks’ Collegium Nobilium. It became a Russian Orthodox church during the Russian occupation and eventually a military cathedral in the 1920s.
Begin with taking in the twin-spired façade of this impressive edifice. Try to picture the onion-shaped domes that adorned the building during its approximately 80 years as a Russian Orthodox church.
At the entrance, look for the rows of stone tablets either side of the doors. The tablets commemorate military units of the past and show the more recent history from when the church became a place of worship and ceremony for the Polish military. The large anchor and propellor stationed out front are symbols of the different branches of the military forces.
Respectfully make your way around the interior of this still very active house of worship. The ornate altar is a highlight and you may enter the two small chapels to either side of it as well.
Admire the many ornate religious decorations of the nave and pause at the plaques and tablets dedicated to those who lost their lives in battle. Notice how various oil paintings depict battles and uprisings in Warsaw’s history, fitting with the cathedral’s current military role.
Outside opposite the cathedral, pay your respects at the Heroes of the Warsaw Uprising Monument to those who lost their lives in World War II.
The Field Cathedral of the Polish Army is located in the Old Town, which is best reached by bus or tram. The cathedral is open daily from morning to early evening however, sightseers are requested not to enter during mass, so check the cathedral’s services and events schedule before you visit.
