World Heritage Photos

The Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska are a splendid testimony of the culture of Poland. The churches were built of larch wood using the traditional horizontal log technique, they were built without nails but joined by notching and reinforced with wooden spikes. The Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska are among the oldest wooden churches in Europe, only the Norwegian stave churches are older. The Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska are masterpieces of arts, crafts and woodcutting, the interior of the churchesis decorated with wood carvings and colorful paintings. Similar wooden churches were built in Romania and Slovakia. The Timber Architecture Route in Małopolska is leading along numerous wooden churches, only nine wooden churches of Southern Małopolska were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List: The Church of the Archangel Michael in Binarowa, the Church of All Saints in Blizne, the Church of the Archangel Michael in Dębno, the Church of the Archangel Michael in Szalowa, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Archangel Michael in Haczow, the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Lachowice, the Church of St. Leonard in Lipnica Murowana, the Church of St. John the Baptist in Orawka and the Church of St. Philip and St. James the Apostles in Sękowa. The Church of the Archangel Michael in Dębno was built in the 15th century. The 15th century wall-paintings of the church were made with 33 colours and 77 different patterns. The wall-paintings have kept their fastness for 500 years up to the present. The secret of the colour fastness of the paintings has never been found out. Małopolska means 'Little Poland'. The Wooden Churches of Southern Little Poland gained status as a UNESCO World Heritage in 2003. Name change in 2013: From Wooden Churches of Southern Little Poland into Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska.

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   Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska: The church of St. Philip and St. James the Apostles in Sękowa is most picturesque from the outside. The larch wooden church was constructed in late-Gothic style in 1520, the roof reaches nearly the ground, giving the church a highly unusual look. The Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska are a splendid testimony of the culture of Poland. Małopolska means 'Little Poland'. The Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska were declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 2003. 

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   Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska: The Church of St. Philip and St. James the Apostles in Sękowa, a historic village in SoutherPoland. The original interior was destroyed by the armed forces of Austria-Hungary during WWI. The church was converted into a stable and the wooden interior was used for the building of fortifications. The church was renovated in 1918. Only the late-Gothic portals, a baptismal font from 1522, a 17th century altar and a characteristic beam with a crucifix have survived.

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   Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska: The Church of the Archangel Michael in Binarowa is one of the oldest wooden churches in Southern Małopolska, the Gothic church was constructed in 1500. The bell tower was built in 1602-1608. In the beginning of the 16th century, the interior of the church was adorned with numerous wooden sculptures and colourful paintings of angels. In the beginning of the 17th century, the church was enclosed by a low wooden wall. The church was damaged by a flood in 2010. The church was restored between 2010 and 2012.

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   The Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska on the UNESCO World Heritage List: the Church of the Archangel Michael in Binarowa (photo); the Church of All Saints in Blizne; the Church of the Archangel Michael in Dębno; the Church of the Archangel Michael in Szalowa; the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Archangel Michael in Haczów; the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Lachowice; the Church of St. Leonard in Lipnica Murowana; the Church of St. John the Baptist in Orawka; the Church of St. Philip and St. James the Apostles in Sękowa.

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   Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska: The decorated ceiling of the wooden Church of the Archangel Michael in Binarowa. Wonderfull and unique colours are covering the entire interior of the wooden church. Not only the walls are covered by paintings, even the ceiling is covered by fine geometric, figurative and plant motifs. The chapel of the Guardian Angels was added to the church in the 17th century. The interior of the church is also decorated with the figures of the Holy Mother and several saints, dating back to the 14th century.

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   Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska: The Church of the Archangel Michael in Binarowa is adorned with numerous carvings and paintings of angels. The wooden church also houses precious statues of the Mother of God and several saints, dating back to te 14th century. The colourful wall paintings are depicting scenes from the Bible. Between 1641 and 1650, the nave of the church was decorated with a painting of the Guardian Angels. The Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska are true masterpieces of arts and crafts and woodcutting.

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   Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska: The Church of the Archangel Michael is situated in the tiny village of Dębno. The wooden church was built in 15th century. The interior design of the church is a combination of Gothic art and traditional Polish folk art, the wooden sculptures were created by the local artist Jozef Janos. The Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska are magnificent examples of Polish culture. The Church of the Archangel Michael in Dębno is one of the Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska (Little Poland).

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   Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska: The Church of the Archangel Michael in Dębno is considered one of the best preserved wooden churches of Southern Małopolska. The church was built without nails or any other metal fasteners, but joined by notching and reinforced with wooden spikes. The church interior is decorated with Gothic paintings and woodcarvings dating back to the Middle Ages. The Church of the Archangel Michael in Dębno is part of the UNESCO World Heritage: Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska.

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   Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska: The wall paintings of the Church of the Archangel Michael in Dębno dates back to the end of the 15th century. The depicted Tree of Life on the choir screen dates back to 1380. The wall paintings of the Church of the Archangel Michael were created with 33 colours and 77 different patterns, the paintings have kept their colour fastness for over 500 years up to the present time. The secret of the colour fastness of the wall paintings has never been found out.

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    The priest is the tour guide of the Church of the Archangel Michael in Dębno, he keeps his milk as cool as possible in the small stream next to the church. The Church of the Archangel Michael in Dębno is one of the Wooden Churches of Southern Malopolska. Nine Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2003. The Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska rank among the oldest wooden churches in Europe, only the Norwegian stave churches are older.