Churches & monasteries

Wooden Church of St. Giles in Zrębice

Key information

The wooden Church of St. Giles in Zrębice stands at 4 Żarecka Street, on a small hill in the village centre in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland. The present building was erected in 1789 through the efforts of parish priest Wojciech Buliński, probably on the site of an older church. Together with its free-standing bell tower, it forms a compact historic church complex.

History and architecture

The parish in Zrębice is recorded in Peter’s Pence lists from 1334. The earlier church fell into disrepair in the 18th century, so parish priest Wojciech Buliński erected the present building in 1789. It retains a log-wall structure, a compact single-nave form, a shingled roof and board-clad elevations. The nave connects to a three-sided presbytery and sacristy; a porch stands on the north side, with a small onion-domed turret above. Beside it stands a wooden post-built bell tower from the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, with a historic bell from 1632.

Interior and planning your visit

The interior has a Baroque character. The 17th-century high altar was remodelled in the 18th century and contains an image of St. Giles painted in 1652 for an earlier chapel. Also look for the Late Baroque pulpit, the stone baptismal font and the musicians’ gallery. Zabytek.pl states that the church can be viewed from outside and is opened during Mass. Current services: Sunday 9:00, 11:00 and 16:00; Monday to Saturday 17:00 in summer or 16:30 in winter. Check the parish website before travelling. Zrębice lies on the Trail of the Eagles’ Nests, near Olsztyn Castle ruins.