Churches & monasteries

Sts. Peter and Paul Wooden Church in Mikołów-Paniowy

In the Paniowy district of Mikołów, at Staromiejska 91, stands the log-built church of Sts. Peter and Paul from the mid-18th century. The history of the site is far older than the building itself: the parish has existed since the 14th century, and the village of Paniowy was already mentioned in the 13th century.

Three domes and an onion spire

The silhouette is a model of Silesian wooden sacral building, but with a Baroque accent: the shingled roof is adorned with three Baroque domes, a small tower with a bulbous helm rises over the nave, and the post-and-frame tower is crowned by a Baroque onion spire with a lantern. Soboty walkways surround the church, a chapel stands by the presbytery, and two porches shield the entrances.

Fittings from several eras

The interior is mainly Baroque, with older elements. The main altar holds a painting of the Virgin Mary with Child from the early 17th century, the side altars date from the 16th–17th centuries, and the pre-Baroque stone baptismal font is one of the oldest objects in the temple. In the tower hangs a historic bell from the early 16th century, brought from the earlier church.

In practice

The church lies within Mikołów, about 20 minutes’ drive from Katowice; for visiting details, best contact the parish office. After your visit, head to the castle in Chudów (a few kilometres away) and the Silesian Botanical Garden in Mikołów — both fit into a single trip. The church is part of the Wooden Architecture Trail of the Silesian voivodeship.