Płock - Bazylika katedralna Wniebowzięcia Najświętszej Maryi Panny

The town on the Vistula River has been known since the 9th century. In 1009 a Benedictine monastery was founded here. King Bolesław I the Brave built the original fortifications on the Cathedral Hill overlooking the Vistula River. In 1075, the city became the seat of a bishopric. From 1079 to 1138, during the reign of Władysław I Herman and Bolesław III. Wrymouth, the city was the capital of Poland. In 1144 the Płock Cathedral was completed, and in 1180 the first school in Poland was opened in the city, which still exists today as the Liceum Małachowianka.

The 16th century was the golden age of the city before it suffered great population losses due to plague, fire, and wars. In 1657, during the Second Northern War, the Swedes destroyed Płock, including the castle, but the population rebuilt it and recovered. In the late 18th century, the old city walls were torn down and a new town was built, where many German immigrants settled.

During the second partition of Poland in 1793, the town was annexed by Prussia. In 1815 it became part of Congress Poland and later was annexed completely by the Russian Empire. In 1939, after the invasion of Poland, the city became part of the German Empire in violation of international law.

The first mention of the cathedral dates back to 1102 when Władysław I Herman was buried there. The present Romanesque cathedral was rebuilt after a fire and lasted from 1136 to 1144, being consecrated in 1144.

After a major fire in 1530, the building was rebuilt as a new church in Renaissance style. This was the first large cathedral in Renaissance style in Poland, although parts of the Romanesque basilica made of granite blocks were reused. The ground plan of the new cathedral was based on the Renaissance basilicas in Rome.

In 1901-1903, the dilapidated basilica was completely renovated and remodeled, following the original Renaissance appearance. In addition, a neo-Romanesque double tower facade was added to the church building,