St Nicholas' Church in Szczebrzeszyn

Before you go in, look at the outer wall of the chancel: in a niche sits a stone slab with the Zamoyski coat of arms and the Latin act founding the church. The church was built in 1610–1620 in the style known as the Lublin Renaissance, and its greatest treasure is the stucco on its vaults – similar to that in Zamość Cathedral.

History

The church was built by Father Mikołaj Kiślicki, dean of the Zamość chapter and parish priest of Szczebrzeszyn. It was consecrated in 1620 by Bishop Jerzy Zamoyski. Around 1644 a fire started by Tatar raiders destroyed it; after rebuilding it was consecrated again in 1668, and in 1754 it burned once more. By the mid-19th century it was in very poor condition and was repaired until the end of the century, partly blurring its late Renaissance features. In the Second World War the Germans closed the church, but it escaped damage and reopened on 25 July 1944.

What to see

• The stucco vaults from the time of construction: rib-like strips in the chancel and rich ornament in the nave and aisles.
• The stone slab with the Zamoyski arms and founding act in a niche on the outer chancel wall.
• The front tower with a porch at its base and a small bell turret over the nave; the stone-and-brick walls were later strengthened with earth banks piled against them.
• Three aisles and two Renaissance chapels at the sides, built together with the church.
• The high altar with a painting of St Nicholas and side altars from the early 17th century, one with a painting of St Valentine.
• The late 18th-century pulpit with angels supporting the canopy.
• The 12-stop organ of 1893 by the Lviv firm of Jan Śliwiński, repaired among others in 1956 and 2012.
• Paintings of the Holy Family and Christ Teaching in the Temple from the first half of the 17th century, attributed to Jan Kasiński.

Interesting facts

The church is on the Lublin Renaissance Route, which links the region's churches with this distinctive stucco work. The altars also hold paintings by the 19th-century artist Rafał Hadziewicz. A white gateway stands in front of the church, with a bell tower beside it.

Tripto tip

The church is by the market square, a few minutes' walk from the beetle monument, the synagogue and the Orthodox church. You can see the interior before or after Mass. Allow 20–30 minutes; look up, as the vaults are the highlight. Szczebrzeszyn lies on the road from Zamość to Zwierzyniec and Roztocze National Park.