Church of Our Lady of Częstochowa in Zakopane

The Church of Our Lady of Częstochowa on ulica Kościeliska in Zakopane is often called the “old little church” (“stary kościółek”). It is a small larch-wood church, entered in the heritage register.

History and construction

The founder was Klementyna Homolacsowa, owner of the Zakopane estate. The chancel was built in 1847, and the construction was led by a local carpenter, Sebastian Gąsienica-Sobczak. In 1850-1851 the church was enlarged and a tower added. The church has a log construction, a double-ridge roof covered with shingles and a small turret for the sanctus bell.

Interior

The main altar and the side ones date from the second half of the 19th century and were made by the folk sculptor Wojciech Kułach-Wawrzyniec. The main altar holds a copy of the image of Our Lady of Częstochowa, patron of the church since the 1930s. The interior is also decorated with folk carved saints and paintings. The church lies on the Lesser Poland Wooden Architecture Route.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Kościeliska 4, Zakopane.
• Next to it are the Cemetery of the Meritorious at Pęksowy Brzyzek and the brick chapel of Saints Świerad and Benedict from about 1810.
• Closest, about 300 metres away, are Villa Koliba and the Tatra Museum.
• The building is marked as inaccessible to wheelchair users. Check the hours for visiting the interior with the parish, as it is an active church.