Church on Harenda Hill in Zakopane

The Church of St John the Apostle and Evangelist on Harenda is a wooden church built in 1710–1720 in Zakrzów and moved to Zakopane in 1947. Its covered soboty arcade preserves the character of historic Podhale architecture. The visit becomes more rewarding because the villa and mausoleum of poet Jan Kasprowicz stand next door.

A wooden church from Zakrzów

Soboty, the roofed walkway around the walls, protected worshippers from rain and snow. The interior features paintings restored by Władysław Jarocki, the poet’s son-in-law. The church is one of the most valuable wooden churches of the Podhale and belongs to the Lesser Poland Wooden Architecture Trail.

Harenda and Kasprowicz

Beside the church are the Harenda villa, now the Jan Kasprowicz Museum, and the poet’s mausoleum with family graves. This makes it possible to combine architecture, literature and Zakopane history in one stop. The Harenda ski and recreation centre is also nearby.

Practical information

The church is an active parish at 14 Harenda Street. Masses are listed at 08:00, 11:00 and 18:00 on Sundays and holidays, and at 18:00 on weekdays. Visit the interior outside services. The neighbouring museum opens Tuesday–Saturday 09:00–15:00; tickets cost 20 and 15 zł, but check for changes. Allow 60–90 minutes for the whole complex.