The Church of the Name of Mary in Bączal Dolny

The Church of the Name of Mary in Bączal Dolny is a significant religious monument in the Rzeszów diocese, distinguished by its architecture that references the historicist Polish national style with elements of modernism. Designed by Eustachy Chmielewski, the church was built between 1957 and 1959 and serves as the third parish church in the locality, where religious history dates back to 1348. The history of the church is rich, as its predecessors, including the wooden Church of St. Nicholas, were destroyed—the first of which, according to chronicles, was ruined during the Swedish Deluge. The new church, blessed by Bishop Wojciech Tomaka, was consecrated and ceremonially closed during the Jubilee Year of the 1000th anniversary of Poland's baptism. The exterior architecture features tall bell towers, steep roofs, and elements reminiscent of vernacular and Gothic styles, giving the building a unique character. The interior of the church is adorned with polychrome paintings from the 1960s, depicting important events in Church history, and stained glass windows designed by Zygmunt Czyż. An interesting fact is that the church provides shelter for a colony of the greater mouse-eared bat, one of Poland's largest bat species. The church is not only a place of worship but also a protected cultural attraction, featuring rich furnishings, including the renowned image of Our Lady of Bączal, known for its graces. The surroundings of the church are enriched by numerous structures, such as a belfry, chapels, and historic cemeteries, making this complex an important point on the religious and tourist map of the region.