St Andrew the Apostle's Church in Polna

St Andrew the Apostle's Church in Polna (Nowy Sącz County, Grybów municipality) is a wooden parish church from the mid-16th century. It is entered in the heritage register and today belongs to the Wooden Architecture Route in Lesser Poland (Małopolska).

History and structure

The first church in Polna is said to have been built in 1297, founded by Wizlan Ritter of Melsztyn. The present building is late Gothic, erected around the middle of the 16th century by the Gładysz family. Around 1820 the nave was extended to the west and two porches were added. The church has a log construction, vertical boarding and a Baroque turret on a bell turret with a lantern.

Interior

The most valuable feature is the 16th-century polychrome with 29 scenes from the life and Passion of Christ. The high altar holds a late Renaissance painting of Our Lady Help of Christians from the end of the 16th century. There are also three Baroque altars, an 18th-century pulpit and an organ by Rieger from 1905.

Practical information

• Address: Polna 31.
• The church is in use as a parish church, so the interior is best viewed outside services. Nearby are the Manor House in Szalowa and the Beekeeping Museum in Stróże.