European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe Investing in rural areas.
WOODEN CONSTRUCTION
ROUTE
The project is co-financed from the funds of the European Union Scheme III of the Technical Assistance for the Rural Development Programme for the years 2007–2013.
The Rural Development Programme managing institution for the years 2007–2013:
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Publication prepared to the order of the Opolskie Voivodeship.
W
ooden monuments are a great tourist attraction of the Opole Province. This guide includes information on selected objects located mostly in the north-east- ern part of the Opole region.The route of wooden sacral architecture is 80 kilometres long and allows you to visit 12 towns. It leads through the beautiful land of Opole Silesia, from Opole to Olesno. On your way you will have a chance to see wooden churches in Czarnowąsy, Dobrzeń Wielki, Kolanowice, Laskowice, Bierdzany, Lasowice Wielkie, Lasowice Małe, Chocianowice, Stare Olesno and Wędrynia.
This route is adapted both to cycling tourism and travelling by car or coach. Only in several places, cyclists can use shortcuts.
However, old wooden churches located on the route are only a fraction of what Opole Silesia has to offer. The total number of wooden historical churches in the region amounts nearly to 70.
There are present practically in all counties, but most of them are located within the region of Kluczborsk and Oleskie counties. They are a great tourist attraction of the region. Wooden churches en- chant with their appearance, artistry of furnishing and history.
Until the 18th century, the number of wooden churches in Opole Silesia was constantly growing. Back then, there were up 120 such structures. Until the half of the 20th century, less than 70 remained. The ones that have been preserved until today originate usually from the 17th and the 18th century. The oldest churches are said to be the ones in: Uszyce (1517), Olesno (1518), Miechów (1529) and Brzezinki (1550).
You are welcome to visit wooden monuments of the Opole Province!
WOODEN
CONSTRUCTION ROUTE
3
Opole Village Museum
E
ach history enthusiast who wants to get to know wooden monuments of the Opole region cannot miss Opole Vil- lage Museum. Visiting this place is preferably best during organized art events and festivals. The walking paths of the mu- seum come alive then not only because of the visitors. You can taste the bread baked in the original furnace and get to know the history of Opole region closely. During such events the fire in the forge is lit and you can try forging iron yourself. In the pre-Christmas period workshops are organized both related to making Christmas decorations and decorating ‘kroszonkas’ typi- cal for this region of Poland.Within the museum there are 48 facilities mainly presenting wooden architecture. Nine farmsteads have been created. Huts
are richly equipped with original household equipment used by the inhabitants of Opole and Olesz regions. In one of the build- ings there is a store in which you can see well preserved pre-war packagings of the products.
When visiting the museum you can sense the spirit of past times thanks to the buildings moved here - board by board - from vari- ous places of the region. Several of then deserve a special atten- tion. Undoubtedly these include: the church, school, tower, inn, forge, two wind turbines and millwheel.
The church of St. Catherine has been transferred here from Gręboszów close to Namysłów in the 1970s of the 20th cen- tury. The temple was built in 1613 thanks to Cyprian Kotuliński
5 and it belonged to Evangelicals.
Kotuliński owned the Gręboszów village. In 1653 the temple was taken by the Catholics and was rebuilt many times.
When you are inside, attention should be paid to the altar made of polychromed, golden and sil- vered wood. In the centre you can see the scenes from the life of Catherine of Alexandria. On the altar cornice there is an in- scription that says that the altar was erected in 1632 by Georg Skopek, the Opole Province dig- nitary of the Catholic Church.
On the walls there are paintings of the saints and epitaphs, some sculpted with protruding hands
coming from an evangelical cemetery chapel in Ligota Górna that dates back to 1786-1882. They are devoted to prematurely deceased children. Attention should also be paid to a patron’s pew where the benefactor used to sit. It comes from the church in Gierałcice. When visiting the monument you should go to the sacristy where there is an ornamented cabinet for liturgical dresses.
Another wooden building worth paying attention to is a mill- wheel and the mill in Stare Siołkowice. The mill was driven by a wooden backhoe wheel with the diameter of 470 cm which was caused by the low course of the river not voluminous with wa- ter. In XIX c. Siołkowice mill was inherited in Pogrzebów family.
In the inter-war period the last person from Pogrzebów family transferred it to his son-in-law Paweł Boronowski. The mill was stopped to be used in ca. 1950 as a consequence of administra- tive prohibitions.
The water mill is picturesquely located over the watercourse. In the inside all necessary devices are located and over the wheel is two-sloped roof. Sometimes, during special shows of mill opera- tion, characteristic noises of gear wheel and crunching of water wheel can be heard.
In the Museum of Opole Village you cannot miss, among others:
Forge of Ziemiełowice from 1726, Cottage of Sternalice, in which the former rural school was organized or Koźlak (windmills, one from Grotowice and the second from Dobrzeń Wielki).
www.muzeumwsiopolskiej.pl e-mail: sekretariat@muzeumwsiopolskiej.pl
ul. Wrocławska 174 46-020 Opole phone: 77 457 23 49 50°40’58”N
17°51’44”E
Church of St. Jadwiga of Silesia in Bierdzany
At
the place of the present church, there was a different one, built in 1410, of St. Valentine. The present temple was erected in 1711. The church belongs to the monu- ments of wooden sacral architecture that stand out with rich decorations.During the church renovation in 1961, a rich polychrome was uncovered. It was hidden under five layers of paint. It presents the creation of the world and the passion of the savior. We can also see the scene in the paradise, when Adam and Eve wonder whether to pick the apple from the tree of knowledge. On the choir loft railing, there are images of the apostles, and on the ceiling, of the saints and prophets.
In the presbytery, we have the presentation of St. Mary’s Ado- ration, saints Anna, Maria, Joseph, and Sebastian. We can see here, among others, the “Salve Regina” hymn painted. At one of the paintings, there is a scene of Mother Mary giving a scapular.
Those who carry it are protected, anything wrong happens to them. On the other hand, for those who do not carry the scapu- lar, bad things happen. One of the painted characters is drown- ing, and the other is hanging on the gallows.
Being in the church, you should approach the side door and look at the picture of the Bierdzań
death, talking to a merchant.
The death points at an hour- glass showing the passing time. The image is reflected in the proverb “You look like the Bierdzań death”, recorded by Józef Lompa in his “The new book of Polish proverbs”.
The church is oriented, with a cog structure. On the roof of the church, there is a hex- agonal tower for a signature.
The tower with a starling, of an independent, pole struc- ture, shuttered with boards.
Originally, the tower roof had the form of a tent, and in 1930 it was rebuilt, shaped into a bulbous helmet.
9
Bierdzany, ul. Szkolna
Parish: ul. Stawowa 2 46-046 Ligota Turawska phone: 77 421 30 94 50°48’53.46”N
18° 9’33.20”E
e-mail: parafia.ligota-turawska@wp.pl
Church of St. Anna in Czarnowąsy
T
he church was built between 1684-88 by Krzysztof Młyński from Poręba on the initiative of Baltazar Gebera.This was a pilgrimage church.
There is a legend connected to its early years. The then parish priest appointed another place for the construction of the tem- ple on the other side of the street. When he already gathered all materials, in the circumstances not explained, they were moved to the place where the temple is now. The parish-priest was rigid for a long time and he moved the material back to the place he originally indicated many times. Even the bishop of Wrocław was supposed to intervene by issuing a decree approving the location of the church at a previous place.
The temple burnt on 19 August 2005 but after two years it was rebuilt. The present church constitute a reconstruction of the original one and it has no monumental character. It was built with bricks and then covered in wood. During the works one re- signed from the small floor and steps over the vestibule.
The new main altar is a baroque architecture. The figure of its patron St. Anna has been placed in it (on the day of the fire it was not in the church and thus survived). Special attention should be paid to the figure of St. Barbara In the main nave which was destroyed during the fire but then renovated by the specialists. In front of the church there is a cross made of blackened beams from the burnt temple.
The two side altars are devoted to John Paul II and Divine Mercy. During the fire a number of valuable monu - ments was lost but along with the figures of St.
Anna and Barbara.
The tabernacle, two communion chalices, candlesticks, metal vases and grates survived.
The church lies on the route of Via Regia of St. Jacob’s. church
11
ul. Jagiełły
Parish: pl. Klasztorny 3 46-020 Czarnowąsy phone: 77 469 10 84 660 405 534 50°42’51.87”N
17°54’9.14”E
Church of St. Roch in Dobrzeń Wielki
It
was built probably in 1658 or 1671.According to the legend a phantom of a boy with a dog was persuading to build the church which showed both to children and adults.The ornaments were made by the church painter Paulus from Opole. The main baroque altar comes from 1700. Above it there is a large contemporary image of St. Roch who is kneeling in front of Holy Trinity and asking for mercy and forgiveness for the plague or cholera infected. The sick sit or kneel on the ground expecting help from the heaven. The image frames made in Ro- coco style deserve a special attention.
The two side altars come from the 17th century. The one on the right presents St. Roch. It is believed that this altar was initially the main altar. It is also worth drawing attention to the baroque pulpit from the beginnings of the 18th century which is orna- mented by the statues of four evangelists.
The temple also houses baroque paintings from the 18th cen- tury showing Christ of Sorrow, the Assumption of the Mother of God, St. Valentine and Matthew...It is also possible to admire the sculptures of St. Catherine and of St. Barbara and the crucifix which comes from the 18th century. There is a painting of Christ with wings appearing in the sky suspended on the choir. A rood beam with the shape of cut trefoil leaf.
In January 1945 Soviet soldiers set fire to the old church several times but the parishioners always managed to quench the fires.
13 The temple stores a valuable monstrance with the following text “From the property St. Roch presented to the honorable Father Jan Nerlich, Wielkobrzeńsk parish-priest from the pre- monstratens order, regular canon”.
ul. Opolska 4
46-081 Dobrzeń Wielki phone: 77 469 52 20 50°46’21.20”N
17°51’21.70”E
The church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary in Bąków
T
he hosts of the church were initially Catholics and later for many years Evangelics. After the war in 1945 it returned to the Catholics. The impact of the two denominations is vis- ible until today which determines the value of the facility.The beginning of construction of the church was at the turn of 15th/16th century. It is worth looking at the galleries alongside the walls. We’ll find the paintings of the crucifixion and crest car - touches there. Attention should be paid to the main altar dated back to 1370 which is considered as the oldest Gothic triptych in Silesia. It is sculpted with painted wings.
The bell from Bąków is in the Evangelical church in Fulda (Ger- many). The parish bought it in 1614. Luckily it was not recast dur- ing World War II for the needs of the army.
ul. Braci Bassy 40 46-233 Bąków phone: 77 413 17 24 50°58’6.88”N
18°18’58.19”E
15
The church of the Holy Virgin Mary Queen of Poland in Jakubowice
M
ost probably it was built in 1585 thanks to funding of the von Frankenberg family. It was renewed in 1931.It is a post-evangelical monument, and since the end of war it has belonged to the Catholics. The main altar is in the Regency style. In its center there is the picture of Heavenly Mother. On the left side there is a baptismal font with a figure of an angel. The decor of the interior maintained its primary his- torical character, though a part of the equipment was removed (Renaissance sacristy door framing, metal cock over the presby- tery and flags with the date “1931”). The ceiling of the nave and presbytery are at the same level. The choir is supported by two square poles.
It is worth seeing the church Gothic crosses being in the church from the periods of 1400, 1500 and 1550.
Jakubowice 46-250 Krzywiczyny phone: 607 122 228 51° 4’56.72”N
18° 6’21.21”E
Chocianowice 91 46-280 Chocianowice phone: 77 413 26 03 50°56’13.42”N
18°16’37.83”E
The church of Birth of Virgin Mary in Chocianowice
T
he exact date of construction of the temple is unknown but some sources state that it was established in 1236.Un- certain mentions about its existence appear in 1376.The temple burnt during the Hussite wars in the 15th century and was rebuilt in 1662.Such date is on the beam in the sacristy. The wood for the construction of the original church and its recon- struction was presented by the monastery of St Matthiae from Wrocław. Until 1810 the temple was under the auspices of the Red Star Crusaders Order. Currently, it is a funeral church and until 1959 it was a parish church.Inside one can see the altar with the paintings of the Heavenly Mother of Częstochowa and in a painting of St. Trinity. Legend has it that thanks to praying before the painting a blind girl from Kuniow gained her eyesight back. Currently the wooden church hosts a copy of the painting of Heavenly Mother of Częstochowa brought by pilgrims from Częstochowa. This painting was paint- ed over in 19th century with the painting of the Mother of God with the Child. The altar itself comes from 1726.On the sides there are angels, being once a part of organs from the 19th cen- tury. The church has two side altars. One is devoted to St. Jo- seph, and the other to the Heavenly Mother of the Rosary.
On the altar there is a consecration document from 1666, the organs from the 18th century, baptismal font from the middle of the 18th century, regency wooden ambo from the 19th century Chocianowice makes a suitable stop in the journey on the route of wooden churches. You can stay here overnight in an agritour- ist centre located in the vicinity of a wooden church. In the local inn you can try the delicacies of Silesian cuisine.
The Evangelical church of St. Michael the Archangel in Gierałcice
I
nitially the church was a sepulchral chapel of the Gierałtowski family. It was built at the turn of 15th and 16th century. In 1560 it was taken over by Protestants, and in 1694 it was extended and transformed into a church.The church has a square tower and is situated on the cemetery.
It is surrounded by numerous trees. It is worth entering the sac- risty to see the late Renaissance polychromies.
While visiting the temple attention should be paid to the ambo with ornaments presenting the four apostles. On the ambo windowsill there is a sculpture of King Christ, and in the top the Holy Trinity.
The church does not have an assigned presbytery but one can admire the galleries typical of sacral Protestant architecture.
Between them there is an overhanging music loft with the win- dowsill decorated with painted coat-of-arms cartouches from the 17th century. The church also has the polychromies from 1831 which decorated Greek revivalist-folk organs. The bell from 1694 is suspended on the tower.
The temple belongs to the so-called hall type churches, which is interesting because this type of solution practically is not pre- sent in the Opole province. The church has epitaphs devoted to the inhabitants of Gierałcice fallen during World War I.
The church is exceptional because of its history. At the turn of religious wars within the Silesia the Catholic and Protestant ser- vices were held together in it.
Gierałcice 59 48-349 Gierałcice phone: 77 439 81 61 50°59’23”N
18°02’50”E
19
Komorzno, ul. Główna Parish: ul. Zielona 3 46-264 Krzywiczyny phone: 77 414 95 07 51° 7’11.49”N
18° 4’16.39”E
The church of Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Jadwiga in Komorzno
T
he present church was built in 1753, at the place of a wood- en one erected 130 years earlier from which only a tower is preserved. Today, it is the oldest element of the facility.According to the records, the church belonged to the monastery of St. Vincent. On the beam supporting the music loft we can see a painted text “Ad 1753 Christian Kihl Namslau”.
The early baroque main altar comes from the 17th century. In its centre there is a bas-relief showing the Last Supper, and in predellas there are apostles in the boat. We can also see the sculptures of St. Peter and Paul, Risen Christ and angels with the insignia of the Passion of Christ.
The late renaissance ambo which comes from the first half of 17th century was decorated with painted scenes of the world creation, baptism in Jordan, the sending of the Holy Spirit and the crucifix - ion. On the railing of the stairs we can admire the scenes illustrat- ing the martyrdom of St. Stephen and slaughter of innocents.
It is worth stopping outside for a while where on the back wall of the church there is a wooden cross. The entrance to the tow- er is located under the platform of the stairs next to the vesti- bule. There is no connection between the tower and nave. The roof is ended with a flag.
The windows of the church are worth mentioning - these from the eastern side had rotund glass panes wrought in lead, the so- called bull’s eye pans.
The vicinity of the church is very tidy. It is worth pointing out that the facility belongs to the parish of the Holy Trinity in Krzy- wiczyny, in Wołczyn deanery, in Kalisz diocese.
The church was entered in the register of monuments of the Na- tional Heritage in 1953.
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ul. Wołczyńska, Parish: ul. Zielona 3 46-250 Krzywiczyny phone: 77 414 95 07 51° 4’7.94”N
18° 2’55.08”E
The church of the Holy Trinity in Krzywiczyny
In
Krzywiczyny in 1483 a chapel was built. In 1530 the church was taken over by the protestants and after the war it returned to the Catholics. The present church was constructed in 1623 by the carpenter master Krzysztof Bittner, and in 1753 there was a reconstruction of the presbytery and nave.A Classicistic main altar and ambo come from ca. 1800, the bap- tismal font from the 17th century, and the footings from the 18th century, the interior of the temple is covered with wainscoting.
The ceilings are flat. Along the galleries walls they are supported on poles. The music loft is based on two spiral poles with a Ro- coco organs prospectus. A rood beam with a painted text with the building date”1623”. This date is repeated also above the main entrance to the sacristy.
The wooden church has a carcass structure. It is built on the brick underpin. The presbytery is smaller than the nave, closed on three sides with a side sacristy. On the side of the nave there is a vestibule of frame structure. It is worth paying attention to the body of the tower which changes its shape at the top part:
from a square into octagon. In the lower part it is surrounded by highly reaching shingle chafer with cut corners. Roofed with an octagonal shingle roof with painted clock faces and crowned with a flag with a blazon and date “1623”. The church has two bells. One was cast in 1696 by Zygmunt Got (a gift from Kasper Heinrich von Frankenberg), and the other was made in 1849.The shingle covered roof. The arcade is supported on the poles.
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Church of St. Lawrence in Laskowice
T
he church is famous because there is a mummy in it. These are the remains of the countess Brigitta Buchta von Bu- chtitz and her mother. They both stopped in Laskowice only for one night and died of plague. According to the legend maidens that sat over the crypt had to die and all this because of a curse of the countess for stealing a ring from her grave.At the place of the present church there was formerly a chapel.
The tower is a remnant of the old church. The present one was built in 1686, and it is confirmed by the date on the rood beam. Legend has it that the inhabitants planned to build the church elsewhere. When they brought wood and were to be- gin the construction on the following day, they noticed that the construction site was empty. After a moment they found the beams piled up at the old chapel. Judging that someone made a joke they moved the wood to the planned construction site.
The history repeated itself once again. After the third time when moving the beams took place one of the inhabitants took guard for the night. At dawn he was found dead and the beams again were at the old chapel. The legend circulating in the towns has it that when midnight struck the earth opened and three power- ful creatures with red the eyes and remarkable strength came from its interior that carried the wood to the old chapel on their backs. The inhabitants finally deemed it a sign from God.
Inside the church there is a baroque altar from 17th century with the sculptures of St. Peter and Paul, Catherine and St. Barbara and Michael the Archangel.
On the rood beam there are several inscriptions coming from dif- ferent periods: on the left bracket - “renowata 1883 Kurda”, on the right one - “renowata 1958 Lampikt” and the date “1686”.
ul. Górna 6, Laskowice Parish: Tuły 41
46-282 Lasowice Wielkie phone: 77 413 88 42 50°50’46.96”N
18° 6’48.45”E
e-mail: parafia@parafiatuly.pl
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The church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary in Lasowice Małe
T
he first church was supposed to be here as early as in 1447. This date is in the register of Świętopierza of the Opole Province deanery notifying about Olesko parish to which Lasowice Małe belonged. The temple standing today was built by Evangelicals in 1688. The previous church burned down.The facility was rebuilt many times.
Over the doors to the nave there is an inscription: “ 1735 M. T.”
-it is the date of reconstruction of the church.
The main baroque altar comes from the beginning of 18th cen- tury. In its centre there is a painting of Madonna with the child by the local painter Dariusz Jach. On the sides there are curly col- umns and on the top the figure of God the Father. There used to be the sculptures of saints on the altar but they were stolen. On the right side there is a side Baroque altar from the 17th century shaped in a frame with carved decoration. On the altar a copy of Gothic sculpture of St. Jacob by brother Jacek, a Franciscan from the mountain of St. Anna. On the left side there is a side Ro- coco altar, a part of the former altar shaped as a glass cabinet.
The church has a richly embellished ambo from 17th century with the figures of an angel and apostles. It is worth noting the cross and wooden and zinc candlesticks.
The structure of the church is made of logs on the brick underpin covered by the shingle. The tower has a pole structure with slightly slanting walls. The main nave is built on a plan similar to a square.
The music loft is supported on six poles and has pipe organs. The walls were shattered during the redecoration in the 1970s.
ul. Odrodzenia, 46-280 Lasowice Małe Parish: Lasowice Wielkie 50°54’19.10”N
18°15’40.54”E
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Lasowice Wielkie 35 48-282 Lasowice Wielkie phone: 77 414 16 11 50°52’10.48”N
18°13’37.11”E
www.parafialasowice.za.pl
The church of All Saints in Lasowice Wielkie
T
he first references to the church come from 1447. In 1519 the temple was consumed by fire. Evangelical Parish decid - ed to reconstruct it and the works were finished in 1599. In 1701 the temple was taken over by Catholics and it belonged then to the Parish in Bogacica. It is surrounded by the cemetery.The church is richly equipped. The altar shaped as tapering tow- ers has in the centre a painting that presents the scene of Virgin Mary with the child among saints and at its sides there are the statues of St. Peter and Paul.
The church has also Baroque sculptures of St. John of Nepomuk and St. Ignatius of Loyola, a painting of St. Anna Samotrzecia from the 17th century, the paintings of the Way of the Cross from the 18th century. It is worth noting a confessional from the 19th century and organ prospect from 1942 by J. Kloss.
The ceiling has an interesting ornamentation. The temple has a historical bell from 1521 with the inscription: “fit nomen domini benedictum ex hoc usque in seculum 1521”.
Between the nave and presbytery a rood beam is suspended which bears the date of the reconstruction of the temple (1599) and an image of a key. In 1730 the interior of the church was cov- ered with folk representations of the scenes of Hell.
The church has been renovated several times since the 1950s.
These were mainly monument protecting works. In 1999 the al- tar, sculptures and the paintings of the Way of the Cross were subjected to renovation. In front of the church on the left side there is a stone cross.
The church has a carcass structure and the tower has a pole structure. It is covered with a hip roof with a bulb-shaped end- ing. The walls are shingled outside, and from the north side they are supported on poles.
Cemetery chapel in Ligota Górna
T
he wooden cemetery chapel was constructed in 1787 by the carpenter Jan Kabata. For many years it was not used.An interesting thing is that the facility was moved during repair works. Two binders and two poles supporting the ma- troneum were preserved. Currently the chapel tower is based on the pole structure and it is crowned with a tent roof which comes from the inside of the chapel.
The rectangular chapel has no separated chancel. The galleries are supported on richly profiled poles. On the windowsills one can notice inscriptions about the chapel construction and sur- names of its founders. A part of the equipment (the baroque ambo, wooden peasant epitaphs from 1786-1882 devoted to prematurely deceased children) was transferred to the church located in Opole Village Museum.
Ligota Górna,cemetery ul. Dębowa 54 Parish: ul. Marii Skłodowskiej–Curie 8 46-200 Kluczbork
phone: 77 418 15 52, 77 418 12 71 50°58’30”N
18°15’35”E
46-220 Miechowa Parish: Kostów 59 phone: 517 695 665 51° 8’9.07”N
18° 6’21.67”E
31
Church of St. Jacek in Miechowa
In
1529 a chapel was built in Miechowa which was later transformed into a church. 99 years later it was re- built thanks to Baltazar von Frankenberg Fund, the owner of Proślice, Ciecierzyn and Miechowa.Being inside one can admire many paintings and ornaments.
The church has been renewed many times. The inhabitants were always engaged in the renovation of the temple. In 2008 the church became a laureate of the Polish national competi- tion “Neat monument”.
The altar comes from 1628. The painting in its centre presents the Judgment Day. On the richly ornamented ambo there are the figures of St. Peter and Paul and of four evangelists.
The attention drawing murals are also found on the font, win- dow and door woodwork, presenter’s pew and ceiling.
Rożnów, Parish of St.
Michael the Archangel in Skałągi, ul. Okrężna 7 46-262 Skałągi
phone: 77 414 12 83 51°03’21”N
18°08’46”E
The church of St. Peter and Paul the Apostles in Rożnowo
T
he parish church which can be visited today comes from 1788. Some previous dates appear but they have no con- firmation in the list of real estate monuments of the Opole Province or for instance in Wiggert lexicon.The main altar is a sculpted Gothic triptych from the end of 15th century. In the middle part there is a painting of the Virgin Mary with Infant Jesus and on side walls the paintings of St. Peter and Catherine, John the Evangelist and Helen, Apolonia and Paul, Barbara and Bartholomew.
Next to the church an interesting tombstone shaped as a pyra- mid is preserved that was erected in 1780 by general Carl Ad- olf August V. Eben b.Brunnen. An interesting thing is that the designer of the tombstone is Karl Langhaus who designed the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
For many years the interior was much neglected but several years ago the coffins in the pyramid were ordered.
The church is oriented, shingled, bound in the corners with the covering. It is covered with the gable roof of double ridge. The tower has a pole structure and it is crowned with a bulb-shaped cupola with the lantern.
33
Church of St. Jacek in Wierzbica Górna
It
is one of the most interesting churches on Kluczbork route. Post-evangelist one, built from the Prussian wall, may be omitted by a tourist because it reminds rather a house than a temple. Oriented, built in 1715-1722, covered with the gable roof.Inside we should notice a wooden choir connected with balus- trades running along the wall and the nave supported on six pro- filed poles. On the Baroque altar from 1729 there are the sculp - tures of Moses, John Baptist and angels. Above the tabernacle there is a copy of the painting of Opolska Heavenly Mother.
The organs come from the beginning of 18th century. The fol- lowing structures are also worth seeing: wooden epitaphs from 1641, several valuable tombstones of Baltazar von Baruth, the owner of Wierzbica Dolna and his wife Helen.
The tower has been equipped with two bells from 1520 and 1544.
Wierzbica Górna nr 31/1 46-255 Wierzbica Górna phone: 535 038 386 51° 1’55.02”N
17°58’52.43”E
The church of Holy Cross Elevation in Wierzbica Dolna
T
he church was founded by Melchior von Studnitza and built in 1688.The temple, which can be presently admired, is a fa- cility renovated after the fire in 1939, in accordance with the prototype keeping the original tower.The church had once rich polychromy coming from the 17th century out of which only the scene of the Last Judgement is preserved.
Originally it was located on the ceiling and today it can be viewed on the northern wall of the nave. Late Baroque church’s equipment.
There are folk images illustrating, among others, the scene of resurrection. A baroque altar with the sculptures comes from the 18th century, from the same period as the baroque ambo with the painted figures of four evangelists and Moses, Aar - on and St. John the Baptist. Under the ceiling there are three knight’s lances. Renaissance epitaph with painted crucifixion and a votive portrait comes from the 17th century. The church also houses: The Pieta and a Gothic cross and sculptures from the 15th century. The music loft is supported on four poles linked with balustrades alongside the walls.
The church has a carcass structure on the stone underpin. The tower has a pole structure with walls narrowing towards the top.
Roofed with an octagonal shingle chafer tent roof and crowned with a Baroque bulb-shaped tin cupola with the lantern. Two- ridge roof was covered with the shingle. Inside there are galleries connected to the choir supported on four decorative poles with the organs from the 18th century. Outside there is a new metal bell-tower. The church is surrounded by wooden fencing with a shingle chafer.
35
Wierzbica Dolna Parish of St. Jack 46-255 Wierzbica Górna
phone: 535 038 386
51° 3’23.16”N
17°59’19.18”E
Wędrynia, ul. Opolska 132 46-275 Lasowice Wielkie phone: 77 413 95 09 50°51’57.03”N
18°18’48.04”E
Church of St. John the Baptist in Wędrynia
T
he church in Wędrynia appeared as early as in 1447 origi- nally of St. John the Evangelist. Some sources state that it burned down. The present one was built at the turn of 17th/18th century. The tower was added in 1818.The church was looted in 1945 by the soldiers of the Red Army.
The smashed the tabernacle, destroyed four figures and nearly all liturgical equipment.
In the temple there are pictures of the Virgin and Child with St.
Anne, St. John of Nepomuk and the Stations of the Cross. On the main altar we will see the sculptures of the two St. bishops and an oval painting of St. Augustine and St. John the Baptist hold- ing the Lamb of God in his hands.
Formerly other Baroque paintings from the 18th/19th century were hanging there but currently they are in the sacristy. They show Heavenly Mother with the Child next to St. Elizabeth and her son.
When you are inside, attention should be paid to the ceiling.
It was painted with colourful folk motives. An interesting thing is the two Baroque, originating from the 18th century, wooden processional candlesticks that have been placed at the benches On the spirally twisted bases there are sculpted figures shaped as angels with cornucopias that bend under their weight.
Another object worth seeing is a 18th-century confessional.
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The church of St.Marcin and Bartholomew in Borki Wielkie
The church is located at a cemetery. It was built probably in 1697 but only in 1789 the tower was attached to the building by Szy- mon Stadko. It is crowned with a flag with the form of a rider - St.
Marcin (it is probably a contemporary addition because it is not mentioned in the sources from 20th century). The tower has verti- cal walls, it is formworked on the whole height. It is covered with the tent roof, crowned with a lantern and a bulb-shaped cupola.
On the baroque main altar from the 18th century there is a paint- ing of St. Bartholomew and sculptures of St. Barbara and St.
Krzysztof, and on the top there is a figure of God the Father.
The interior is characterized by simplicity. Other historical equip- ment elements include an ambo from the turn of the 18th/19th century, a stoup and small organs from the 18th century, Ba- roque sculptures of Heavenly Mother and St. John of Nepomuk from the same century, a painting of St. Nicolas (from the 19th century). The presbytery of the church closed on three sides next to the sacristy. Inside the temple the ceilings are flat. The music loft of simple windowsill prolonged along the walls of the nave, supported on straight poles.
The church is oriented, shingled, bound in the corners with the covering. The gable roof of the church of double ridge (such
39 roofs are typical of Silesia as opposed to other regions of Poland where single ridge ones dominate).
The church stopped to be the seat of oleska parish in the early 20th century when the Franciscan monks brought in 1905 built a new neo-Gothic temple in Oleśno in 1910/1911 The consecration of the brick church took place on 29 November 1911.
The services in the wooden church in Borki Wielkie take place several times during the year.
Parish:
ul. Ojca Alarda 3 46-345 Borki Wielkie phone: 34 359 60 11
50°51’52.61”N 18°34’0.16”E
Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Boroszów
T
he date of its construction is not exactly known, but it is known that the oldest mention comes from 1679. Notes indicate that in 1688 the church was dedicated to “All Saints. Earlier it was dedicated to St. Catherine. It can be con- cluded that from it derives from 13th c., because in those time sacral buildings were named after this Saint.In 1789 the church was reconstructed. In the church which is located on the cemetery, many contemporary elements can be found. Blue ceiling dominates over the head. The main altar was constructed in rococo-classical style, exactly like the pulpit.
Processions float (portable, religious image painted on both sides in decorative frames) with the image of Black Madonna of Częstochowa and Guardian Angel from the end of the 18th c. In the church can be also found the picture of St. Mary Magdalene painted on wood at the turn of the 18th/19th c. It is most likely that in the beginning we could found here folk sculptures of St.
John of Nepomuk and St. Francis of Assisi. On the walls of the church hang pictures showing Stations of the Cross.
Graves of the former owners of the property are located inside of the church, under the floor.
The building presents corner-notched construction and is cov- ered with a pitched roof. The temple is fully underpinned. The tower has a pole structure and is covered with an octagonal tent roof, made of cooper. The three-sided chancel is closed and has barrel arches. In the main aisle which is wider than the chancel the ceiling is flat. Choir with straight, windowsill without decora - tions, is supported with two poles with flower vases instead of heads.
41
Boroszów
Parish: Biskupice 93 46-324 Kościeliska phone: 34 359 98 10 50°56’36”N
18°25’40”E
Church of St. Valentine in Dobrodzień
W
ooden church in Dobrodzień in located at the local cemetery. It was built in 1630 in place of the senior one which was destroyed during the Thirty Years’War. It was protected from the fire which occurred in the city in 1846, during which almost all buildings were burned.
The church was significantly damaged during shooting of the city by Soviet troops during World War II. It was renovated after the war and maintained its primary form.
What’s interesting masses are celebrated only on 14 February and during funeral ceremonies.
The interior of the church is very modest. The attention is drawn by colourfull stained glass compositions. The late-baroque altar presents two pictures of St. Valentine and St. Clare.
The building has a carcass structure and is covered with two pitched roofs which are structurally independent. The bell tower is built in the rectangular vestibule of the same width as the aisle.
The church has an organ cabinet. Musical choir is supported with two poles with decorated windowsill. The tower has slightly in- clined walls and in the lower part steep roofing. Is covered with tent roof, from which copula like helmet is growing. Everything is covered with shingle. When visiting the church it is worth visit- ing the cemetery. Between old gravestones interesting grave- stone’s sculptures can be found.
43
ul. Ks. Gładysza
Parish: Plac Wolności 4 46-380 Dobrodzień phone: 34 357 53 15 50°43’44.43”N
18°26’23.40”E
e-mail: parafia@parafia-dobrodzien.pl
Church of the Feast of the Cross in Radawie
T
he church is the oldest one on the wooden sacral archi- tecture route. The exact date of its building is unknown, but the first references are dated on 1305. It was the date when the village was included to the Wrocław Episcopate.Firstly in Radawie was a chapel, wooden church was built in 1500 on the plan of the Cross. Later it was reconstructed many times.
The present church comes from the 18th century.
The altar is classicist picture from 1842 and presents the scene from celebration of the Feast of the Cross where the emperor Heraclius carries the cross an is surrounded by the entourage. The picture was painted by F. Jakisch. Paintings from two side altars come from the same year and present St. Anne and St. Catherine.
On the beam we can see the inscription: “Te Deum Laudamus”.
In the church we can find military cross and the figure of the Mother of God of Fatima.
Pałac w Radawiu 2 ul. Szkolna 1 46-047 Radawie phone: 77 421 61 44 50°47’07”N
18°17’25”E
45
The church dedicated to the Assumption of Mary in Uszyce
W
iggert in the leksykon “Die Holzkirchen und Holz- türme der Preussischen Ostprovinzen” (1905) states 1517 as the date of consecration of the church in Uszyce. He refers to the commissioning certificate of the Dio - cese in Wrocław from 1679.The main baroque altar is rich in sculptures of saints from the 17th c. There can be found a painting of the Virgin Mary with In- fant Jesus painted on wood in 1600, St. John the Evangelist and St. Joachim. Paintings from the 18th c. present Christ with the cross and Christ in glory.
The music choir is supported with two columns with organ pro- spectus. The beam has wave shape.
The church has carcass structure, with the tower of pole struc- ture. External boarded walls and gable roof covered with shin- gle. Over the aisle, hexagonal tower can be found covered with cupola covered with steel. The bell located on the tower is fund- ed by Zygmunt Wiplar from Uszyce. It was casted in Wrocław by Jakub Oötze in 1600.
Uszyce 71
46-310 Gorzów Śląski phone: 34 359 33 87 51° 6’39.99”N
18°20’44.08”E
e-mail: stowarzyszenie@uszyce.pl
Church of St. Anthony of Padua in Sowczyce
O
riginally it was built at the turn of 16th/17th c. in Łomnica.For the first time it appeared in documents in 1586, The text on door hinge – “1586”, may prove the date of es- tablishing the church (though it can be also the date of replace- ment of gates). It was built in the place where formerly was a chapel of St. Barbara’s. In 1916 the building was transferred to Sowczyce. Currently, it is a cemetery church.
The altar and the baroque pulpit come from the 17th c. On the altar we can admire sculptures of St. John the Baptist, Matthew and Catherine and on the pulpit bas-relief of Good Shepherd.
Stations of the Cross are dated on 1849. In the temple there is also the picture of Pieta, sculpture of Risen Christ and two folk crucifixes and altar cross from the 18th c.
Statutes that can be found in the church are folk.
Before transferring to Sowczyce covering of the church was not painted. The wooden tower attached to body of the church cov- ered two bells, third was located in the turret on the roof. Later, the wooden tower was replaced with bricked and this bricked one was located in the church until the date of transferring to Sowczyce.
Currently the temple has small turret in the middle of the roof. The turret has quadrilateral signature, is covered with high tent roof, covered with shin- gle with strongly folded canopy at the chancel.
The church has carcass structure with newer un- derpin. External walls are shutterred, gable roof with one ridge. In the years 1957-1962 next to the wooden church was built new bricked one which was also dedicated to St. Anthony.
ul. Lubliniecka, Sowczyce 50°50'36.70"N Parish of the Assumption of the 18°29'35.21"E Blessed Virgin Mary in Łomnica,
ul. Lompy 15, 46-300 Łomnica phone: 34 359 63 95
e-mail: proboszcz@parafia-lomnica.pl
47
The church of St. Mary Magdalene in Stare Olesno
T
he church comes from 1680 and was built by Fathers Au- gustinians from Olesno. It was thoroughly restored in 1955-57 and 1959. This place is mentioned in the commis- sioning protocol of 1679. It was the date when this place was called “Vetero Rosenberg” and the temple was dedicated to St.John the Baptist. In the commissioning provisions we can read that the walls of the temple were colourful.
In the church it is worth paying attention to the painting of Vir- gin Mary which comes from the 17th c. and stations of the Cross from 19th c. of folk character.
Many contemporary paintings can be found there. When we come to the altar we will see bas-relief showing The Last Sup- per. The chancel is embellished with two pictures “Jesus I trust in you” and the portrait of John Paul II. On the pulpit we can see paintings of evangelists (works of carvers from Zakopane). Next we can find right, side altar with a statue of the Virgin Mary. On the left side on the side altar we can see the statue of St. Francis.
The chancel has barrel vault. The church has carcass structure, with the tower of pole structure. External walls of the church and roof are covered with shingle. The Choir is supported by two poles. The tower with inclined walls, shuttered with slightly sus- pended ice-apron with vertical walls, is covered with an octago- nal shingle tent roof. Over the aisle the hexagonal the turret has the signature, is covered with shingle tent roof.
49
Stare Olesno
ul. Kluczborska 23 46-300 Olesno phone: 34 359 78 53 602 570 723 50°54’34.09”N
18°21’29.77”E
e-mail: parafiastareolesno@gmail.com
ul. Kluczki Pawła, Wachów, 46-300 Olesno
Parish of St. Nicolas and St. Margaret
in Wysoka, Wysoka 52 phone: 34 359 79 80
50°50’35.18”N 18°23’5.26”E
e-mail:
wysokaks@interka.pl
OLESNO COUNTY
Church of St. Lawrence in Wachów
T
he primary church was built in 1408 and another in the years 1560-1580. The present was rebuilt in 1706, during replacement of the floor in 1984 old graveyard was discovered and written document of old German gothic describing replacement of the floor from 1860, Among documents descrip
tions of life of peasants were also found. It was located here, but was transferred to the Diocesan Museum in Opole, the old gothic crucifix from the beginning of the 15th c.
In the church it is worth paying attention to paintings on the ceiling painted by Józef Machwitz from Zabrze, which present scenes from the life of St. Lawrences's Church. On the main altar we can see the picture of the church's patron who is dressed in deacon clothing. On the sides can be found sculptures of St.
John the Evangelist, St. Jakub and three Angels. On the side al
tar we can see the painting of Virgin Mary. On the left side is em
bellished pulpit to which conduct steep stairs. The church 18th century baptismal font with a sculpture showing the scene of baptism in Jordan from the 18th century. The presbytery closed on three sides is smaller than the rectangular nave. On the side of the presbytery, from the northern side, a one-floor sacristy is added with a advowson lodge. From the south, in the nave, a small vestibule with a separate pent roof. The second vesti
bule is in the front, in the basement of a tower of a pole struc
ture, with slanting, narrowing upwards walls. The tower is crowned with a four-side tin cupola. There is shingle on the roof, with a small canopy, going below the lower outline of the whole roof, covering stairs to the
advowson lodge.
The church has a wooden bell tower from 1990 with one bell.
The fete church of St. Anna in Olesno
It
is an architectonic phenomenon. If you go above the tem- ple, you will notice a rose flower. The constructor of the star structure was Martin Sempek from Gliwice, who was rewarded with 180 thalers for his work. The church was built in 1518, in 1707 a sacristy was added.When visiting the church it is worth going to the main altar where a pine trunk, with which a legend is connected, can be found. Saint Anne was to protect a girl against her death. In 18th century, on the tree, St. Anne’s picture was to be hanged by Jad- wiga of Silesia from Trzebnica. It is here that a girl running away from the thieves was looking for a shelter. Praying to St. Anna, she was asking for being saved. Then the thieves were blinded and walked beside the child. The parents of the saved girl or- dered to carve the figure of the Virgin and Child with St. Anne and hanged it on the miraculous pine. By the tree, the church was erected. Today, next to the trunk, there is a white plate saying: “Venerable old pine, under which a girl was saved from death by the intercession of St. Anna. July 1944.” People seeking solace in toothache made pilgrimages to the place. The pilgrims would even draw splinters from the trunk and take them away.
Around the presbytery with the trunk, new parts of the church were added. In the second half In 17th century, on the northern side of the nave, the central part, shaped as a star or as some say, a rose, was erected. The church has five chapels, and each has a separate altar. The interior is filled with votive offerings gathered in the sanctuary for centuries.
In August 1994, thieves stole the priceless Late Gothic triptych
“Great Holy Family” with 32 figures. In 2003 police officers from Cracow recovered only three figures. Today, there is a replica of the stolen altar in the church.
53
ul. Gorzowska
Parish: ul. Kościelna 1 46-300 Olesno phone: 34 358 20 70 50°53’47.42”N
18°25’21.75”E
e-mail: info@parafia-olesno.pl
Church of St. Nicolas in Jamy
T
he original church was not saved and the date of its con- struction is unknown. The one in Jamy now, is dated to 1792. It was erected thanks to the foundation of the count Karol Sigismund von Aulock. This is confirmed by the text on a beam rood in the presbytery.In the church, there is a picture of Christ in Gethsemane dating back to the beginning of the 19th century and a set of sculptures of the crucifixion and the Stations of the Cross of the folk char - acter that were painted ca 1850.
The church is single-nave, with a tower of a pole structure. The external walls of the church are boarded, there is a saddle roof with one ridge, covered with shingle. The tower is covered with a hipped, tented roof, with a small bulb-shaped crown. Inside, a flat ceiling, common for the nave and the presbytery.
The tower in the west is covered with a hipped, tented roof with a bulbous crown and a flag (with the annual date 1793).
Jamy
Parish: Kozłowice ul. Kluczborska 3 46-310 Kozłowice phone: 34 359 30 85 50°58’04”N
18°22’52”E
55
Church of St. Martin in Żytniów
T
he church was moved from Trzcinica near Kępno in 1812.It was rebuilt by the carpenter Jakub Ośródka.
The church is built on a cross plan, it has no tower but has a richly ornamented interior. It has five baroque altars with the ad - dition of rococo and 29 paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries.
It is the only wooden temple in the Opole province having the underground part. In it, there are crypts of the Sieradzki fam- ily. The historical bells were melted down to cannons during the war. In 1941-43 the temple was used by Nazis as a warehouse.
A board in front of the church informs that in 1971 the parish was visited by cardinal Karol Wojtyła.
Żytniów 35 46-325 Rudniki phone: 34 359 37 18 51° 0’52.03”N
18°34’9.20”E
The church cemetery of St. Barbara in Strzelce Opolskie
T
here was a wooden church in Strzelce Opolskie as early as 1505. The present one, on the cemetery, was built by the carpenter Jan Brzychcy. Its construction started in 1683.In the screen, there is a beam with the date 1690, which indi- cates the completion of the construction.
An interesting thing is that the reconstruction of the temple was possible thanks to Anna Bassa, a widow of a church counselor. It is worth adding that the construction manager was the former mayor Florian Weiser. Work on the construction of the church joined the two people who finally married. Another interesting information is that the church was built without using even one nail. Connectivity was obtained through mutually connecting the fitting grooves on the ends of the beams.
It is worth seeing the late renaissance style pulpit, from the beginning of the 17th century. Over the main beam, a wooden cross is hanged, and in the attic, there are altar pieces, originat- ing from the 1st half of the 17th century.
The choir loft is supported by two beams. The organ date back to the turn of the 17th/18th centuries.
Next to the church, there is a chapel dedicated to the Risen Christ.
It is worth seeing the metal figure of Christ and the text with the date “17.05.1667.” It was the day of the Ascension of Jesus.
The presbytery is smaller than the nave, closed on three sides, with a side sacristy. The roof is covered with shingle, steep, two- ridge. Over the nave, a baroque style tower for a signature was placed, dated after 1720, with a lantern and a bulbous cupola.
57
cemetery, ul. Opolska
Parish: ul. Kołłątaja 9 47-100 Strzelce Opolskie phone: 77 461 24 42 50°30’45.07”N
18°17’32.03”E
parafia@parafia-strzelce.pl
Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Zimna Wódka
I
t is best to visit the church in Zimna Wódka on the Corpus Christi day. Then a flower carpet is made in the village. The works begin at 4 am and the procession is spectacular.The Church was erected in 1748, probably partially using the for- mer temple. Before that, in 1524-1701, it was a Protestant church.
Inside the temple, there are baroque altars. In the main one, there is a painting showing St. Maria Magdalena. Above, a me- dallion with the image St. Wojciech. Two side altars preserve a homogeneous architectonic style. In the left one, St. Mary with Infant Jesus is presented. On the columns, there are small sculptures of St. Roch and St. John the Evangelist. In the crown, there is a bas-relief of the Guardian Angel. Consideration must be given to the ceiling where the scene of the Last Supper is painted.
In the church, it is worth seeing: 17th century basins, crucifix from the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, and a 19th-century pulpit. A Gothic bell comes from the 15th century, and the first church in Zimna Wódka is dated to 1309.
On side walls, there are wooden reliefs showing the Stations of the Cross. In the church, there is also the second gallery of the Cross found during the refurbishment.
There are a few stained glass windows, and the oldest one shows the Holy Family.
The church in Zimna Wódka is set on a stone foundation. Its structure is made of logs, and the tower has a pole structure.
The roof of the temple in Zimna Wódka is covered with shingle.
The church is oriented, made of logs, covered with a pitched roof with double ridge.
Zimna Wódka, ul. Ujazdowska 20 Parish of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Klucz Klucz, ul. Wiejska 16, 47-143 Ujazd phone: 77 463 71 63
50°26’5.74”N 18°18’56.89”E
www.parafiaklucz.pl
e-mail: parafia@parafiaklucz.pl
59
The church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Jadwiga in Szczepanek
T
he church was originally built in Polska Nowa Wieś in 1666–1668. It was moved to Szczepanek in 1960. The construction in the new place was done be the carpen- ter Antonii Piontek (later honored by the pope Paul VI), and the temple was a votive offering.The church was renovated in 1998. In the same year virtually all figures were stolen from the temple. In 2003 the sculpture of St.
John was found, which was offered for sale in an antique shop in Cracow. In April 2009 damaged figures of angels were found.
The church has a wooden log construction on a foundation. The tower is square with a pole structure, added to the nave of the church on the western side. The external walls and the roof are lined with shingle. Over the nave, an eight-side tower with a lan- tern and a bulbous cupola cowned with a metal cross.
The polychromies on the ceiling come from 1687.
ul. Strzelecka, Szczepanek Parish of the Assumption
of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Jemielnica
ul. Wiejska 63 47-133 Jemielnica phone: 77 463 23 16,
504 203 148 e-mail: pichen@post.pl
50°31’58.06”N
18°20’13.61”E
61
Colping Museum in Kolonowskie
In
the wooden building, a regional chamber was organ- ized. We do not know the exact construction date of the house, but it took place between 1780 and 1790.Originally, it housed administrative rooms of the already non- existing ironworks. Some sources say that the manager of the ironworks Johann Benda lived there. It is a typical working-class house, many of which existed in Kolonowskie before World War II. The facility was built at Forest St. 8, which was mostly filled with similar residential buildings, making a colony of the nearby ironworks workers.
Today, the Colping Museum can be visited e.g. during canoeing trips on Mała Panwia. In the chambers, there are ca 700 exhibits of traditional regional, prewar equipment. We can see old paint- ings with the Holy Family. On the walls, old portraits of the in- habitants of Kolonowskie were hanged. In the bedroom, there is an old wooden bed. The original kitchen equipment was taken care of. There is also an exhibition showing the history of steel industry in these lands.
ul. Leśnia 2 Contact:
“Kolping Family” Association
Ks. Czerwionki 39, 47-110 Kolonowskie phone: 77 461 11 40
50°39’19.98”N 18°23’6.20”E
e-mail: mariab230719591@wp.pl
www.kolping.kolonowskie.pl
The church of Our Lady of the Snows in Olszowa
T
he baroque church, rebuilt and modernized a couple of times, coming from the middle of the 17th century. It be- longs to the Klucz parish. Built in 1648 and rebuilt in 1748.It was renovated in 1988 and 2007.
The main altar dates back to the beginning of 18th century.
Similarly, the impressive painting of Our Lady of the Snows that has adoring angels on both sides. Above, there is the adoration scene and over the painting, a figure of an angel. In the church, attention should be paid to two rich baroque, 17th-century side altars. On one we can see the scene of Christ being taken from the cross, on the second, the baptism of Christ.
The way of the Cross was placed on the musical choir loft, sup- ported by four poles, with a straight line external windowsill with the organ prospectus.
The oldest element is the 16th century stone stoup. Among valu- ables, there are also candlesticks, liturgical dishes and the confes- sional.
A wooden church, single-nave, with a cog structure, built in the baroque style. The presbytery is smaller than the nave, closed, with a side sacristy, with an advowson lodge on the first floor.
The tower is low and has a pole structure and a vestibule in the basement. The church roof is two-ridge, covered with shingle, crowned with a six-side tower. It has a conical cupola with a lantern.
Olszowa, ul. Wiejska Parish: Klucz,
ul. Wiejska 16, 47-143 Ujazd phone: 77 463 71 63 50°27’14.38”N
18°17’1.97”E
e-mail: parafia@parafiaklucz.pl
Church of St. Joseph and St. Barbara in Baborów
I
t is one of largest wooden churches on the Opole route. The construction of the temple goes back to 1700–1702. It was erected thanks to the money from the foundation of the priest Szymon Piotr Motłocha, the parish-priest then. The church was renovated in 1802 and 1890. Currently, it serves the role of the so- called fete church, but it is willingly opened for tourists. Today, is is in the hands of Carmelites.The interior of the temple is impressive and richly ornamented.
The altar has many interesting details. On vaults and walls, there is a baroque polychromy from the beginning of the 18th century made by Krauze.
In the main altar, there is a painting of St. Family. The pulpit has rich carved decorations. On its windowsill with shells and angels, the symbols of Evangelists are painted.
The church has four side altars. The first of them with the painting of the Guardian Angel and sculptures of angels. In the second, of the 19th century, we can see the painting of the Heavenly Mother of Scapular. The third one presents St. Lawrence, and the fourth is devoted to St. Valentine.
The paintings in the church are of the same authorship as the polychromies. We can see the following scenes on them: from the life of St. Anthony of Padua, presentation of a scapular to Angela (a Czech princess) and Alfons Kastylijski, with the fig - ures of St. Louis and Edward
in the background, angels conducting Lot from burn- ing Sodomy. There is also a painting of Christ in Gethse- mane of the 18th century, Mother Mary with Infant Christ of the 18th/19th centu- ries. Around the internal walls of the church, the Way of the Cross of the 18th century was placed.
The church with a transept, made of cogs. Util 1890 the roof of the temple coverd with shale, later with shingles.
The added tower crowned with a bell-like core with a lan- tern and a bulbous cupola.
65
ul. Kościuszki 2
48-120 Baborów phone: 77 403 69 10 50° 9’39.73”N
17°59’4.22”E
e-mail: parafia@karmel-baborow.pl
A Post-evangelical church in Malnia
It
is a very interesting in architectural terms sacral structure.It is two-level: the upper one is historical, and the lower is a modern facility. Unfortunately no historical equipment of our old Post-evangelical wooden church was saved.
It was built in 1801-1804 in Kotowo near Kluczbork. When it was abandoned by the Evangelical commune, it was taken apart and moved to Malnia (1977).
Inside, it is worth to find one of the beams supporting the choir loft, which bears the date of “1804”. On the second, there is the date “1943” - a thorough redecoration of the temple was con- ducted then.
The lower church (bricked, modern) was built in 1976-1978, thanks to the efforts of the Otmęt parish-priest. Franciszek Dusza. From the highest hill, a limestone was taken out and in the created cavity the temple was put.
