The Chapel of the Bar Confederates on Mount Jasień

The Chapel of the Bar Confederation on Mount Jasień, also known as Kocurowa Góra, is located in Sucha Beskidzka, at an altitude of approximately 500 meters above sea level. This masonry structure combines elements of Renaissance, Gothic, and Classical architectural styles. Built in 1773 from local sandstone, it features a rectangular floor plan measuring 6 by 4 meters, a single nave, and a small vestibule. At the center of the façade stands a stone tower with a wooden, hexagonal bell tower and an onion-shaped spire, reaching a height of 12 meters. Inside the chapel, there is an altar with a copy of the painting of Our Lady of Częstochowa. The chapel’s origins are tied to the history of the Bar Confederation, particularly a skirmish in 1771, when Confederate forces fought against the Russian army led by General Suvorov in this area. According to tradition, around 200 Confederate soldiers lost their lives here, and Maurycy Beniowski was taken captive. A symbolic grave of the fallen Confederates, located next to the chapel, serves as a historical complement. The chapel also holds cultural and social significance, having played an important role in the 1980s as a site for pro-independence demonstrations. Today, Masses for the Homeland are held here annually on May 3 and August 15. For tourists, marked trails lead to the chapel, including an educational and nature path from the Sucha Beskidzka Castle and a white-and-blue walking trail from the Błądzonka housing estate. The chapel is a vital part of the region’s cultural heritage, blending historical, architectural, and spiritual significance.