St. Leonard's Church, Lipnica Murowana

St. Leonard's Church is a wooden structure with shingle roofing and an asymmetrical layout of openings on its sides. Windows appear primarily on the southern elevation, while the main entrance doors are positioned along the south and west walls.

The structure was built on the site of a former pagan shrine, with a pillar from the ancient temple now supporting the altar of Saint Leonard. This connection reveals how Christian places sometimes emerged over the sacred sites of earlier faiths.

The interior walls display polychrome decorations spanning several centuries, with religious scenes painted across different periods. These artworks show the Crucifixion, Last Supper, and Ten Commandments painted between the late 1400s and early 1700s.

Access to the interior requires advance arrangements, as the building continues to serve as a cemetery chapel for the local community. Planning ahead ensures someone will be available to open the structure for your visit.

The building forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site and represents traditional wooden church architecture from southern Poland. Its combination of ancient construction methods and religious artwork makes it a notable example of regional craftsmanship.

Location: Lipnica Dolna, Lesser Poland Voivodeship

Architectural style: Gothic architecture

Part of: Wooden churches of Southern Lesser Poland

GPS coordinates: 49.86040,20.53060

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:43