Church of the Protection of the Mother of God in Szlachtowa

The Church of the Protection of the Mother of God in Szlachtowa is a former Greek Catholic church, built between 1895 and 1920, and is an example of Byzantine-style architecture. Its composition is based on the plan of a Greek cross, with the central part complemented by a round dome surrounded by lower naves. Decorative details, such as Latin crosses placed on the tops of the domes, symbolize the religious message, and their arrangement in an isosceles triangle nestled within crescent moons is meant to represent the triumph of Christianity over Islam. The external walls of the church, made of Beskid sandstone, are plastered, with some sections intentionally left unplastered, giving the building a unique character. The interior of the church is adorned with rich polychrome paintings from 1919 and frescoes depicting biblical scenes. Since 1927, the space has been separated by an iconostasis representing the so-called Lviv school. The figures painted on canvas in the iconostasis bear features of local culture. In the history of the church, it is worth noting that before the construction of the masonry church, the residents of Szlachtowa used an earlier wooden church, which had existed since the 17th century and was demolished in 1905. The first parish priest of the new church was Jan Durkot, and after his death, the parish ministry was carried out by subsequent clergy for many years. As a result of Operation "Vistula" in 1947–1950, almost all Lemkos were displaced, and the church came under the care of the Roman Catholic Church, becoming a place of parish worship. The change in the parish's dedication from the "Protection of the Mother of God" to the "Mother of God, Mediatrix of Graces" in 1952, alongside numerous historical events, reflects a lasting cultural shift in the region. In terms of artistic evaluation, it is also worth mentioning the mosaic of the "Good Shepherd" on the external wall, designed by Leopold Bandurski, a local religious official. The church, along with its surrounding bell tower and church cemetery, has been entered into the register of historical monuments, highlighting its significance for local history and architecture. An interesting fact is that most of the 17th-century bells of the church were requisitioned during World War I, and memories of the former church are preserved in the Diocesan Museum in Przemyśl. The entirety of the architecture, history, and culture of the church in Szlachtowa paints an incredibly rich picture of the region's past and present, while also fitting into the broader context of Poland's multiculturalism.