Gładyszów: Wooden Tower, Church and Lemko History

A wooden tower at the heart of the cemetery

At First World War Cemetery No. 55, the restored, tall wooden tower is the central feature. It stands on a stone base, is covered with wooden shingles and is crowned by a wooden cross. The base, tower and cross form a clearly structured design, combining different materials with an upward-reaching composition. This single structure defines the character of this memorial site. For travel planning, the cemetery can therefore be considered a cultural highlight in its own right, alongside the history of the church. Those interested in historic architecture and memorial sites can pay particular attention to the form of the tower: from its stone base, through its wooden structure, to the cross at the top.

Church architecture, interior and bell tower

The Orthodox Church of the Nativity of St John the Baptist is part of the Wooden Architecture Route in Małopolska. It was built in 1857 and extended in 1914, after the previous church burned down. Its architectural history thus includes both a new building and a later extension. Inside, an iconostasis dating from the 20th century separates the nave from a closed, three-sided sanctuary. Its walls and ceiling are decorated with folk paintings depicting the Holy Trinity. The layout and decoration can be understood as different aspects of church architecture: the iconostasis marks the division, while the sanctuary’s shape and paintings define its character. Beside the church stands a wooden bell tower with a square ground plan and a tented roof. It adds a separate structure to consider, with a different ground plan from the tall tower at the cemetery.

The church and Lemko history

The history of the church also includes changes in its use. It was used by Greek Catholics until the Lemkos were expelled in 1947. It was later converted into a stable and handed over to the Orthodox Church in 1967. These phases of use sit alongside the building chronology of 1857 and 1914 and reveal another aspect of the area’s history. The Ruska Rada of Gładyszów also joined the Lemko Rusyn National Republic. Following the post-war expulsions, some residents returned to Gładyszów after 1957 and resettled in their homeland. The Ruska Rada’s political affiliation and the later return of residents are distinct chapters that give the buildings a broader historical context.

Gładyszów as a cultural highlight

These themes can help guide your choice of a holiday apartment. If you would like to plan your trip around church architecture, memorial culture and Lemko history, you can include Gładyszów as a cultural highlight. On a broader trip, you can make this history one part of your stay. When searching, consider whether you want Gładyszów itself to be the focus; this will help you choose accommodation that matches the things that interest you locally.

Discover more destinations: Nowica, Wysowa-Zdrój, Bobowa, Stróżówka, Strzeszyn, Ropa, Ropki, Uście Gorlickie.

For the broader travel overview: Gorlice.