Churches & monasteries

St Bartholomew the Apostle Church in Włodowice

St Bartholomew the Apostle Church in Włodowice is one of the more interesting Baroque churches in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland. The masonry church was built in 1701–1708 from a foundation by the prelate Marian Kępski. Its position on a hill about 395 metres above sea level makes it a visible landmark of the village.

Polish Baroque on the hill

The foundation stone was laid on 17 April 1701. The single-nave church was built of stone in the Polish Baroque style and consecrated in 1708. It was enlarged in 1898–1911, when a sacristy and chapel were added and the tower was raised. Ruins of the palace and the historic layout of central Włodowice survive nearby.

Altars and pulpit

The interior contains seven Baroque altars, including the high altar and furnishings associated with the workshop of Jerzy Hankis. Look for the pulpit from 1708, restored in 2022, as well as the polychromy in the chapel and the historic organ. Conservation of the altars is being carried out in stages, so the interior may change over time.

Practical information

The church is at 1 Krakowska Street in Włodowice. It is an active parish church, so plan an interior visit outside services and confirm access on the parish website. You can combine it with the palace ruins, the market square and the Rzędkowice Rocks; allow about 30–45 minutes for the church and its immediate surroundings.