Protection of Our Most Holy Lady Church, Owczary

The Protection of Our Most Holy Lady Church in Owczary is a wooden Orthodox structure featuring a distinctive tower and a three-part layout typical of Eastern Orthodox design. The exterior walls are clad with wooden shingles that give the building its characteristic appearance.

The structure was built in 1653 after an earlier church collapsed due to poor foundation conditions in the area. The distinctive tower was added later in 1783 and has defined the building's appearance since then.

The interior displays an eighteenth-century iconostasis with blue, red, and gold decorations, including carved columns featuring vine leaf patterns. This artistic tradition reflects the Orthodox faith that has been part of this region for centuries.

The building serves both the Roman Catholic and Ukrainian Greek Catholic communities, hosting regular services for both congregations throughout the year. Visitors should be prepared for occasional religious activities and respect posted times when entering.

The building received international recognition for its extensive restoration of the wooden shingle roof in the 1980s. This restoration work demonstrated a commitment to preserving the traditional wooden roofing technique that defines its character.

Location: Owczary

Inception: 1653

Part of: Wooden tserkvas of Carpathian region in Poland and Ukraine

GPS coordinates: 49.58857,21.19147

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:48