UŚCIE GORLICKIE

Entering the area of Uście Gorlickie Commune from the north, the first stop on our trip would be the Orthodox

The Orthodox Church of St Michael the Archangel in Brunary

The Orthodox Church of St Michael the Archangel in Brunary was built at the end of the 18th century as a tripartite temple. Several decades later, it was significantly rebuilt and its mass was changed. Today it is more disproportionate and elongated and the fact that it is tripartite is only visible thanks to three, bulbous domes which crown its every part. When we go inside, we will notice the narthex, the main nave and the presbytery straight away. The walls and the ceiling of the last two parts are decorated with the polychromy from the 18th, 19th and 20th century. The fact that the paintings were created for a very long time makes them diverse – they represent baroque, rococo and classical styles. We can see floral, architectural and geometric patterns. The baroque iconostasis dates back to the time when the church was erected. After Lemko people had been resettled, there was nobody who would pray in the temple. Today it serves as the Roman Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary.

Church in Brunary. It is one of the most significant constructions which in 2013 was listed as a UNESCO site.

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The Orthodox Church of St Paraskeva

A bit further, in the seat of the commune, in Uście Gorlickie, we can see the Orthodox Church of St Paraskeva The church was erected in 1786, at the time when Uscie Gorlickie was a big Lemko village. It is a typical west Lemko, tripartite temple of log construction with a shingled bell tower. Inside we can admire the late baroque iconostasis from the 18th century and rare sculptures of Adam and Eve which are below the icons of the Mother of God and Jesus Christ teaching the prophets. The polychromy with figures and ornaments was created in 1938. After the resettlements, the temple was used as a Roman Catholic church. Since some of Lemkos came back to their land, Greek Catholic masses are also conducted there.

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The Orthodox Church of St Paraskeva in Kwiatoń

The next temple is the Orthodox Church of St Paraskeva in Kwiatoń, also listed as a UNESCO site in 2013. The temple was constructed in the second half of the 17th century. It is a model example of Lemko architecture. Its proportions are perfect and it has three distinguishing parts which make it one of the most beautiful Orthodox churches in the Low Beskids. Each part is a square – a big one for the presbytery, a smaller one for the nave and the smallest one for the narthex. Inside we can see the polychromy from the beginning of the 19th century and the complete iconostasis from 1904 made by Michał Bogdański. Lemkos left the church in 1940’s but it is claimed to be one of the best preserved Orthodox churches in Poland. Currently, it serves as an auxiliary church for the Roman Catholic parish in Uście Gorlickie and Greek Catholics use it as well.

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The Orthodox Church of the Protection of the Mother of God

On the way to Wysowa, we go through Hańczowa where we will see the Orthodox Church of the Protection of the Mother of God. The temple dates back to the first half of the 19th century and was erected on the site of the former church. It was created as a west Lemko Orthodox church of log construction and shingled walls. Inside we can see the rich polychromy with figures and ornaments created by Antoni, Michał and Zygmunt Bogdańscy and the iconostasis which probably dates back to the 18th century. After the resettlements of Lemko people, the church was falling into ruin – the decision about its demolition was even made. Fortunately, a few Lemko families came back to Hańczowa and, using their own resources, renovated the building which today serves as an Orthodox church. It is one of the best restored Orthodox churches in the vicinity. Next to it, you can see a granite cross which was placed there to commemorate the thousandth anniversary of the christianisation of Kievan Rus.