Monuments & mounds

Silent Memorial — Andrejkow's Wooden Murals

Arkadiusz Andrejkow’s Silent Memorial is a cycle of more than one hundred paintings on wooden barns, sheds and cottages. The artist from Sanok transfers people from old family photographs onto timber, turning rural buildings into an open-air gallery of memory.

What makes a deskal

The project began in 2017 in the Podkarpacie region. Andrejkow usually works from photographs supplied by residents of the village where a mural is created. He paints in a sketch-like, transparent way that leaves the texture of the old boards visible, making the portraits appear to emerge from the wall. The terms “deskal” and “drewnal” refer to a mural painted on wood.

Where to find the works

The greatest concentration is in Podkarpacie. Works can be found in places including Załuż, Komańcza, Myczkowce, Orelec, Haczów, Bzianka and Zatwarnica, as well as in other parts of Poland, such as Ojców, Trześcianka and Koniaków. The locations are scattered, so this is not a single marked trail with a ticket entrance. Choose several points and combine them with other sights in the area.

Practical information

Viewing the deskale outdoors is free and possible all year round. Some works can be seen from the road, while others stand on private property. Do not enter without permission, photograph residents without consent or approach the buildings too closely. Check the current location of a chosen work before travelling: murals are exposed to weather and their surroundings can change. The artist’s official website explains the project; plan the detailed route separately on a map.