Illegal photovoltaics will disappear from the roof of St. Basilica. Bridget

Work is underway to remove photovoltaic panels that appeared on the roof of St. Peter's Basilica. Bridget in 2023 without the consent of the Pomeranian Provincial Monuments Conservator (PWKZ).

About the work related to the removal of photovoltaic panels that have been on the roof of St. Peter's Basilica for over two years. Brygidy was informed on Friday by the press spokesman of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, Conservator of Monuments, Marcin Tymiński.

Panels on the inner roof of St. Basilica Bridget in Gdańsk, called the “Solidarity church”, was installed in 2023. There was no formal consent from the Pomeranian Provincial Monuments Conservator.

– Shortly thereafter, our office began procedures provided for by law aimed at restoring the appearance of the temple to its pre-installation state – added Tymiński and emphasized that the history of photovoltaic panels on the roof of the church of St. Brygidy in Gdańsk is an example of how difficult it is sometimes to reconcile caring for heritage with caring for the future of our planet and lower electricity bills.

The Pomeranian provincial conservator of monuments ordered the parish priest. Saint Bridget in Gdańsk, removal of photovoltaic panels from the church roof.

Then Fr. Parish priest Ludwik Kowalski emphasized in a statement sent to PAP that the installation brings savings – approx. PLN 40,000. annually. “The use of solar energy is beneficial to society. It is a sensible energy option currently widely used. Thanks to photovoltaics, we obtain electricity in an ecological and cheap way,” he wrote.

Due to the appearance of the panels, the parish priest was fined two times.

As the conservator's spokesman added in an interview with PAP, currently the work commissioned by the parish priest. Saint Bridgets in Gdańsk are made in accordance with the guidelines of PWKZ.

The church has existed in this place since the Middle Ages. It was built in the mid-14th century, initially as a chapel. Saint Magdalena. The sacred building was expanded by the Order of Bridgettine Sisters who later came to Gdańsk. In 1945, the church was significantly damaged. It was not rebuilt for a long time. In 1957, the last preserved fragments of the roof truss and one of the gables of the southern aisle burned down.

The temple was in ruins until 1970, when its reconstruction began on the initiative of its long-time parish priest, Father Henryk Jankowski. The activities of Lech Wałęsa and “Solidarity” and the importance that this place had for Catholics during the communist regime meant that the Basilica of St. Bridget is considered a kind of sanctuary of “Solidarity”.

In the Basilica of St. Bridget's can be admired, among others, a monumental amber altar and an ossuary in the chapel, which is also the oldest part of the church. (PAP)

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