Church of the Ascension of the Lord in Dolne Marklowice

The Church of the Ascension of the Lord in Dolne Marklowice is a historic wooden temple, built in 1739 on the site of a former wooden church. It is located in the municipality of Piotrowice near Karwina, in the Moravian-Silesian Region, within the regional context of Cieszyn Silesia. It is considered the best-preserved wooden church in Upper Silesia. The architecture of the church is characterized by a tower with an onion-shaped spire and a pentagonal chancel. An external staircase leads to the oratory. The interior is decorated with paintings depicting vases with flowers, including symbolic flaming vases that refer to the apocalypse. The classicist-style altar and Empire-style furnishings give it a unique character. A valuable work is the painting of the Virgin Mary, created in 1860 by Edward Świerkiewicz, an artist and social activist. The church remains under constant conservation care, and a cemetery surrounds it. The history of the church dates back to 1360, when it was first mentioned, and in 1447 it was confirmed as a parish church. After the Reformation, in 1654, it was returned to Catholics, and a bishop's visitation in 1679 indicated the church's dedication to St. Nicholas. The last construction works were carried out in 1912–1913, and the wall paintings were made by Maule from Frysztat in 1927. During discoveries in 1952, unique polychromes with plant motifs were found inside the church, further emphasizing its historical and artistic value. The church is not only a place of worship but also a significant element of the region's cultural heritage.