German-Polish block seminar in Gdansk 2025

Under the theme "Religion and art in multi-ethnic and multi-confessional Gdansk in the early modern period", the participants examined how the Reformation and confessionalization shaped art, architecture and urban culture. Gdansk offered a unique example of this, as different denominations and religions lived in close proximity there for centuries.

In addition to prepared presentations on historical, theological and art-historical topics, academic lectures were held at the National Museum in Gdansk. Excursions led to central sites of church and art history, including St. Mary's Church, St. Trinity's Church, the town hall and the Artus Court in Gdansk as well as the former Cistercian abbey in Oliva (Oliwa) and former Protestant churches in Praust (Pruszcz Gdánski), Käsemark (Kiezmark) and Steegen (Stegna).

The English language of the seminar facilitated international cooperation and interdisciplinary exchange. At the end, the students presented the results of their work in three groups and looked back on an instructive and impressive week at an evening get-together.

The block seminar was sponsored by the Foundation for German-Polish Cooperation. It is part of the excursion and cooperation activities of the Seminars for Protestant and Catholic Theology at the University of Siegen and contributes to the promotion of international academic exchange.