Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Jaszczurówka

The Jaszczurówka Chapel, also known as the Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is a picturesque filial church of the Roman Catholic parish located in Toporowa Cyrhla in the Tatra Mountains. Designed by Stanisław Witkiewicz, construction of the church began in 1904, and it was consecrated in 1907. Architecturally, the chapel is a typical example of the Zakopane style, characterized by its wooden log structure, high stone foundation, and arcaded porches. The shingle roof features a small turret housing a bell. The interior of the chapel is distinguished by a rectangularly enclosed presbytery and a single nave, with the main wooden altar resembling a highlander's cottage. Additionally, the interior is adorned with stained glass windows designed by Stefan Matejko, depicting the Virgin Mary of Częstochowa and the Virgin Mary of the Gate of Dawn, as well as the coats of arms of Poland and Lithuania. Historically, the chapel did not have a permanent caretaker, being tended at various times by Marian and Salesian priests. From 1955 to 1983, it was cared for by missionaries from Olcza, and later by Marian priests from Toporowa Cyrhla. The owner of the building is the Tatra National Park, within whose boundaries it is located. The chapel has undergone numerous renovations, with major work carried out between 1977 and 1981 and in subsequent decades. An interesting fact is that from 2019 to 2022, Orthodox services were held in the chapel once a month, highlighting its significance as a place of worship. The Jaszczurówka Chapel is also part of the Małopolska Wooden Architecture Route, making it a popular destination for tourists and architecture enthusiasts.