Old Church in Zakopane

The Old Church in Zakopane (Stary Kościół, pronounced roughly "STAH-ri KOSH-choow"), officially the Church of Our Lady of Częstochowa, is the oldest parish church in Poland's best-known mountain resort. This small wooden church on Kościeliska Street stands right beside the historic Pęksowy Brzyzek cemetery, just a few minutes' walk from the busy Krupówki promenade. It is a quiet, atmospheric stop that shows what Zakopane looked like when it was still a Highlander village in the Tatra Mountains.

History of the Old Church

Zakopane long had no church of its own. In 1837 the owners of the estate, Klementyna and Edward Homolacs, pledged to build one, and on August 12, 1845, Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria approved the plans (this part of Poland then belonged to the Habsburg Empire). The front section was finished in 1847 by local carpenter Sebastian Gąsienica Sobczak. In 1848 Father Józef Stolarczyk, a legendary figure in Zakopane's history, became its first parish priest. The rear section and tower were added in 1850–1851, and a wooden bell tower followed in 1863.

The church was first dedicated to St. Clement, a choice made by Klementyna Homolacs. Before World War II an image of Our Lady of Częstochowa, Poland's most revered icon, was placed in the main altar, giving the church its present name.

What to see

• Altars carved by Wojciech Kułach (1812–1897), a folk artist from the nearby village of Gliczarów; the main altar has smooth Ionic columns and figures of Saints Peter and Paul.
• A wooden crucifix from around the turn of the 19th century.
• Painted saints in the side altars.
• Shingled roofs, a wooden tower and a small stone chapel attached to the church.

Next door, the Pęksowy Brzyzek cemetery is often called Poland's national pantheon of the mountains. Doctor Tytus Chałubiński, who helped make Zakopane famous, architect Stanisław Witkiewicz and writer Kornel Makuszyński are buried there.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially combined with the cemetery. The interior takes 15–20 minutes, or about an hour with the graveyard. It is an active church, so visit outside Mass times, keep your voice down and dress modestly. There is no ticket for the church; donations are collected at the cemetery for the conservation of its wooden grave markers.

Mass times and practical information

As of October 2026, according to the parish website:

• Mass: weekdays at 7:30 a.m., Sundays and holidays at 10:00 a.m.
• Address: ul. Kościeliska 10, 34-500 Zakopane.
• Contact: Holy Family parish office, +48 18 201 24 41.

No regular visiting hours are published, so groups should call ahead.

How to get to Zakopane

Zakopane lies about 100 km south of Kraków. Buses and minibuses from Kraków's main bus station take around two hours, and there are also trains. Kraków John Paul II Airport is the nearest international airport. Once in town, walk to the lower end of Krupówki and turn onto Kościeliska Street. Parking in the center is paid and limited. Continue along Kościeliska to see historic wooden villas, including the Koliba villa, home to the Museum of Zakopane Style.