Churches & monasteries

Wooden Church of Our Lady of the Snow in Zarzecze

Key information

The wooden larch Church of Our Lady of the Snow in Zarzecze near Nisko stands at 43 Mickiewicza Street, beside a newer brick parish church. It is traditionally dated to 1722. In 1923 it was moved from Jeżowe and purchased by Andrzej and Anna Dul of Zarzecze. It is a compact example of wooden church architecture.

History and architecture

The parish in Zarzecze was established in 1935, and the church was dedicated on 7 February 1936. On 26 February 1945, wartime damage affected the presbytery, but the building was rebuilt that year. Its boarding, lower logs and floors were later renewed. Its dating needs a note: a municipal heritage programme quotes Ryszard Brykowski’s view that the form and technique may point to a 15th- or 16th-century origin, with around 1720 possibly referring to a major rebuilding. This is a log structure with three aisles, a narrower three-sided presbytery and a roof turret.

Interior and planning your visit

Inside are wooden barrel-vaulted ceilings with geometric polychromy and scenes from the New Testament. The high altar is made of coloured marble and includes an image of Our Lady of the Snow with gold-star decoration. Ray-shaped metalwork chandeliers are another notable detail. A brick bell tower from 1936 stands beside the church. The old building has no confirmed regular sightseeing hours: contact the parish before travelling and do not assume that Mass times at the new church guarantee access. Address: 43 Mickiewicza Street, Zarzecze, 37-400 Nisko, Poland.