Church of Our Lady of Fatima in Istebna

The Church of Our Lady of Fatima in Istebna, situated on a mountain clearing and belonging to the parish in Istebna-Stecówka, was built between 1957 and 1958 as a mountain chapel. Consecrated on January 12, 1958, it gained the status of a parish church in 1981, and since 2016, after reconstruction that began in 2013 following a tragic fire, it has once again served this function. Architecturally, the church features a log structure on a masonry foundation, with a gable roof covered with wood shingles and a small square tower. Its interior includes, among other things, a painting of Our Lady of Fatima by Jan Wałach, as well as numerous sculptures and stained glass windows created by local artists. The church is part of the Wooden Architecture Trail of the Silesian Voivodeship and is located near the Main Beskid Trail, contributing to its cultural value as both a religious and tourist site. In 2011, the church gained additional popularity when a wedding scene for the film "Oh, Charles 2" was filmed there. The fire in December 2013 destroyed a significant portion of the building, but thanks to the mobilization of the local community and firefighters, part of the furnishings were saved, and characteristic architectural elements were preserved, reflecting the collective determination and respect for local tradition and culture.