Oliwa, a district to the northwest of Gdańsk, was once the base of wealthy
Cistercians, who built a cathedral and monastery here. The present
cathedral, built in the 14th century in the Gothic style, replaced the
original 13th-century Romanesque church that was destroyed by fire in 1350.
While the exterior has survived without major alteration, the interior has
been redecorated in the Baroque style. Its famous organ can be heard in
recitals. The monastery buildings are now occupied by branches of the
Diocesan, Ethnographical and Contemporary Art museums. Oliwa Park, with
lakes and wooded hills, is a pleasant place for a walk.