Church of St Michael the Archangel in Binarowa

The Church of St Michael the Archangel in Binarowa dates from about 1500 and is one of the most valuable late Gothic wooden churches in Poland. In 2003 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List together with other wooden churches of southern Lesser Poland.

History of the church

A wooden parish church already existed in Binarowa in 1415. The present building was erected around 1500, after a fire in the previous church. The tower was added in 1596, and in 1641-1650 the church was thoroughly rebuilt. Further renovations took place in 1844 and since the 1990s, including after damage caused by the flood of 2010. The heritage register has covered the church since 1948.

Construction

The church was built of spruce beams. It has a single nave and a rectangular chancel closed on three sides to the east. To the west stands a free-standing tower, according to Wikipedia one of the oldest known wooden church towers. In the 17th century the Chapel of the Guardian Angel was added.

Interior and polychromes

The justification for the UNESCO inscription speaks of a harmonious combination of historical, architectural and artistic qualities and of the most valuable polychrome decoration among the wooden churches of Lesser Poland. In the chancel, late Gothic plant patterns have survived on the ceiling and Baroque cycles on the walls. Among the furnishings Wikipedia lists a Gothic sculpture of the Madonna and Child from about 1380, a crucifix from 1525 and a 17th-century high altar with a figure of St Michael the Archangel. The church also has an eight-stop organ from 1865.

The church has inspired artists: Stanisław Wyspiański sketched it during a visit, and Miron Białoszewski wrote “Stara piosenka nad Binarową” (An Old Song over Binarowa) in 1956. The church lies on the Wooden Architecture Route of Lesser Poland Voivodeship.

Nearby

It is less than four kilometres to Biecz. There you can see the Market Square in Biecz, the Biecz Land Museum and the Franciscan monastery. The last of the sites described lies four kilometres from the church.

Practical information

• Address: Binarowa 409, municipality of Biecz, Gorlice County.
• Parish website: binarowa.wiara.org.pl.
• The church is active as a parish church, so visiting hours must be arranged with the parish before your visit.