"Forest churches" of the Evangelicals in the Beskids

In the Silesian Beskids, there are numerous sites that served as "forest churches" for Evangelicals, especially during the Counter-Reformation period (around 1654–1709). Due to restrictions imposed by the authorities, Evangelicals held worship services in secret, in remote locations such as "Szymków" in Wisła Bukowa, Zakamień in Nydek, "Spowiedzisko" in Leszna Górna, Kamień on Równica, or "Do wiary" in Ostre. Szymków was a place of worship from 1654 to 1782, with the last service held as a thanksgiving for religious freedom. Today, services have been held there since 1983, and permanently on the last Sunday of August since 1988. Zakamień, located on Czantoria, was also a place of prayer until 1709, and today occasional gatherings are held there by a commemorative plaque dedicated to Pastor Jerzy Trzanowski. "Spowiedzisko" in Leszna Górna, known for its former baptismal spring, has been a site of regular services since 1993. On Równica, at the popular "Kamień," services have been held since the 17th century, and today they attract large communities, especially during the Festival of Brotherly Aid. In Ostre, where restrictions did not apply, annual services are planned once the historical rock block is rediscovered. The altar table "Jan" in Bielsko-Biała and the forest church in Jaworze are other interesting sites where prayers and cultural meetings take place, usually on special occasions. Godula in Ligotka Kameralna commemorates gatherings of Evangelical youth, and in Dolna Łomna, an obelisk symbolizing these cultural and religious practices was recently discovered. These sites not only form an important part of the region's cultural heritage but also serve as a reminder of the history of persecution and the struggle for religious freedom. They also offer an opportunity for tourists and history enthusiasts to explore the rich cultural heritage of the Beskids.