Churches & monasteries

Wooden Church in Wieliczka

Key information

St. Sebastian’s Church at 23 Świętego Sebastiana Street is one of Wieliczka’s most valuable wooden monuments. This small larchwood church stands on a hill among old trees, close to the town centre and the salt mine. It is part of the Wooden Architecture Trail in Małopolska.

History and architecture

Construction began in 1581 on the initiative of Father Maciej Blandowski, parish priest of St. Clement’s; salt-mine administrator Sebastian Lubomirski also supported the project. The church was consecrated on 29 June 1598. In the mid-18th century the building was thoroughly rebuilt and enlarged, acquiring its Baroque character. It is a single-nave log church with a narrower, pentagonal chancel, sacristy and a small bell turret. The walls and roof are covered with shingles, and the turret above the chancel has a lantern.

What to see and practical details

The interior’s main attraction is the polychromy painted by Włodzimierz Tetmajer in 1903–1910, inspired by the patron saint, salt-mining traditions and Christianity. The Rococo main altar contains an 18th-century image of St. Sebastian. Also look for the 17th-century side altars, crucifix and stained glass made to a design by Stanisław Matejko, Jan Matejko’s nephew. Address: 23 Świętego Sebastiana Street, 32-020 Wieliczka, Poland; phone: +48 12 278 27 23. No fixed sightseeing hours or ticket price have been confirmed, so check interior access and current services before travelling. Remember that this is an active church.