This temple is the largest wooden Gothic church in Europe and also the oldest wooden church built by using the horizontal log technique in Poland. It is located on the trail of wooden architecture in southern Poland and on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

The church was built in the late 14th century and later extended and renovated. As a place of religious worship it was used till 1948 but then began to fall into disrepair. In the 1960’s and 1970’s the church furnishings (altars, benches, paintings and other ornaments) were taken to the Museum in Sanok and the court in Kroscienko Wyzne. Before being entered on the UNESCO list the church underwent major renovation. Firstly, the wooden ceiling was replaced and new wood shingle put on the roof.

Inside, the wall paintings from the end of the 15th century survived, which were supplemented by more recent paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Gothic art is represented by sculptures, including the Pieta from about 1400. It is worth noting, according to some research, the oldest wooden church in Poland is the temple in Tarnow Palucki near Poznan.

Municipal Office – Haczow (woj. Podkarpackie)

www.haczow.pl