St. Nicholas Church in Polanka Wielka

St. Nicholas Church in Polanka Wielka is a unique wooden temple built in the first half of the 16th century and transformed in the Baroque style in 1658. Until 1991, it served as the parish church, after which it was replaced by a new temple dedicated to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The church is an important part of the Wooden Architecture Trail of the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, highlighting its cultural and historical value. Built using the log technique, with vertical boarding and reinforced with braces, the church features a multi-pitched roof with a single ridge that connects the nave and the presbytery. On the western side, the church is adjoined by a two-story tower with a post-and-frame structure, covered with a dome-shaped spire and topped with an obelisk. An interesting element is the hexagonal bell tower, which adds a distinctive look to the entire structure. The church houses rich furnishings, including Rococo altars from the 18th century, a marble baptismal font, and a pulpit. In the music choir, there is also an organ from 1735, crafted by Wawrzyniec Harbutowski, which testifies to the church's importance in the local musical tradition. St. Nicholas Church is not only a key point on the map of Lesser Poland's wooden architecture but also carries a rich history and cultural values that attract both tourists and history enthusiasts.