St. Barbara's Chapel in Baciuty

The Chapel of St. Barbara in Baciuty is an Orthodox filial chapel, known as a *časovnja* (chapel of ease), belonging to the Parish of St. Nicholas in Topilec, within the Białystok Deanery of the Białystok-Gdańsk Diocese of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church. Built at the end of the 18th century, it was originally a Uniate church and transitioned to Orthodoxy after 1839. Its architecture represents the traditional wooden style, placing it within the rich context of sacral construction in the region. The chapel was entered into the register of historical monuments on August 25, 1983, under number A-453, highlighting its historical and cultural significance. Within the local community, the chapel plays an important role not only as a place of worship but also as an element of cultural heritage, reflecting religious and migratory influences in the Podlasie region. Interestingly, the chapel’s conversion to Orthodoxy occurred in the context of broader social and religious changes in 19th-century Poland, making it a witness to the region’s turbulent history. It is also worth noting that St. Barbara is the patron saint of people working in difficult and dangerous conditions, which adds special significance to this site within the context of local traditions and religious practices.