What to see? Wooden Churches in southern Małopolska
Wooden Orthodox and Roman-Catholic churches, perfectly set into their natural environment, can be found amidst the rolling hills and scenic countryside of the south-eastern region of Poland. Some of these churches are several hundred years old and six of them are listed as UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage sites. They were not designed and built by some famous architects but are the work of local carpenters who used to live in this region over the centuries.
The oldest church was built in the 15th century in Haczow. It was constructed from fir wood and roofed with wooden shingles. Fragments of wall paintings were uncovered in its interior.
Great artistic value is attributed to the shingle-roofed church in Blizne. Erected at the turn of the 15th century, the church also contains fragments of Gothic and Renaissance wall paintings. The church has a harmonious silhouette as it has an original, spire roof.
The church at Binarowa boasts a very precious wall painting depicting scenes from the New Testament and a 14th century figure of the Madonna carved in wood.
Many unique paintings, sculptures and artistic objects can also be admired in the 15th century church in Debno.
The interior decorations of the church at Lipnica Murowana include precious wall paintings as well as baroque paintings and sculptures.
The Timber Architecture Route in the Malopolska region is a relatively new tourist attraction. It is more than over 1500 kilometres long and features 232 timber constructions of historic value, among them are 123 Roman-Catholic churches, 39 Orthodox churches, 25 rural and small town buildings and 27 rural architecture museums that include 9 open- air museums and 14 stately manor houses.
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