St. Leonard's Church in Lipnica Murowana

The Church of St. Leonard in Lipnica Dolna is a wooden cemetery church distinguished by its unique architecture and rich cultural heritage. Built probably at the end of the 15th century, although local tradition suggests dates of 1143 or 1203, it is one of the most valuable examples of Gothic wooden churches in Poland. Situated by the Uszwica River, the church features a log structure and a polygonal chancel, while the wider nave is square in shape. In the 17th century, it was surrounded by soboty (overhanging eaves) and enriched with a bell turret. It has been preserved almost unchanged, with a single-ridge roof covered with wood shingles. The interior of the church is adorned with 15th- and 16th-century polychromes depicting scenes such as the Crucifixion, the Last Judgment, and the Last Supper. The church once housed valuable triptychs, which were stolen in 1992, but today their copies can be viewed. A notable feature is the beam supporting the altar, which, according to legend, was once a sculpture of the Slavic deity Świętowit. The church has faced significant challenges, including a flood in 1997, when local residents saved it from total destruction by tying it to trees. In 2003, the site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In recent years, measures have been taken to protect the church from floods, including the installation of mobile flood barriers. The history and architecture of this extraordinary place stand as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the region and its people.