Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Świątkowa Wielka

The Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Świątkowa Wielka is a historic wooden Greek Catholic temple from 1757, which was converted into a Roman Catholic filial church of the Parish of the Immaculate Mother of God in Desznica in 1986. The building is located on the Subcarpathian Wooden Architecture Route and was listed as a historic monument in 1985. The history of the church dates back to before 1581, when the first Orthodox church was built, which later adopted the Union of Brest and became Greek Catholic. The current church was relocated from its original location near the Świerzówka stream to the village’s main road due to accessibility difficulties. In the 18th century, decorative works were carried out, and in 1796, a tower was added. The church underwent numerous changes, including renovations and adaptations, and fell victim to thefts, the most serious of which involved the iconostases. After Operation "Vistula," it remained abandoned. In 1986, it was adapted for Roman Catholic use, and from 1991 to 1993, the interior was conserved. Architecturally, the church stands out for its log structure, tripartite layout (with a babinets, nave, and presbytery), and a tower above the babinets, topped with a distinctive brog roof and an onion dome. The interior is covered with domes and features richly decorated polychromes depicting scenes from the lives of Mary and Christ, as well as prophets. Despite many changes, valuable elements of the furnishings have been preserved, such as an 18th-century main altar, a Baroque holy water font, and 17th-century icons. An interesting fact is that the church transitioned from being used by Greek Catholics to Roman Catholics, reflecting the changing religious affiliations in the region. Surrounding the church is a classic wooden fence, which enhances its charm and historical value.