Łopienka

Łopienka is an abandoned village in the Bieszczady Mountains where only a Greek Catholic church from 1757 remains standing. The structure was built from raw stone and serves as the last witness to the settlement that once existed here.

The village was founded in 1543 by the Bal family and enjoyed Wallachian privileges within the Ruthenian Voivodeship. By the 20th century, it lost its population and eventually became completely deserted.

The church reflects the Greek Catholic tradition that once defined the community here. Each October, pilgrims gather for an ecumenical service where Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox representatives pray together.

The church is accessible year-round and offers a place to explore this abandoned landscape. A healing water well lies about 10 minutes away on foot, while the old cemetery can be found just 200 meters from the church.

The village was one of the earliest oil extraction centers globally, with refineries and wells operating before 1884. This industrial past made Łopienka a notable place long before it became the abandoned ruin it is today.

Location: Gmina Cisna

GPS coordinates: 49.26500,22.36472

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:25