Bednarka

Bednarka (in Lemko: Боднарка) is a village located in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, in Gorlice County, known for its numerous historical monuments and rich history. It is registered in the list of immovable monuments with its World War I military cemetery No. 84. Among other landmarks are roadside crosses and a masonry and wooden shrine. The most important historical site is the Church of the Protection of the Mother of God from 1900, built by emigrants. This church, which differs from traditional Lemko churches due to the absence of a babinets (women’s gallery) and the presence of two towers, retains a partial iconostasis with four original icons. Since 1956, it has served as a Roman Catholic church. Bednarka has a rich toponymic context, linked to terms referring to coopers. The village was legally established in the 14th century, with the oldest records dating back to 1401. In the 18th century, it was inhabited by Greek Catholics, as well as Roman Catholic and Jewish minorities. As a result of Operation "Vistula" in 1947, 433 Lemkos were displaced from Bednarka, which significantly impacted the local community. After 1956, some of the displaced Lemkos expressed a desire to return to their homeland, highlighting the strong connection of the residents to their native place. Today, Bednarka has around 172 inhabitants, including a dozen or so people of Lemko descent. It is also worth noting that the village's history is tied to the process of Vlach settlement, which characterized the mountainous regions of Lesser Poland, reflecting the cultural heritage of that period.