Discover Sękowa: Wooden Church and Długosz Mausoleum

Gothic Wooden Church and World Heritage

The wooden church in Sękowa is part of the serial UNESCO World Heritage Site “Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska”. This site includes six of the region’s best-preserved and oldest Gothic wooden churches. The serial designation draws attention to a group of churches, rather than just a single building. Sękowa is therefore both a specific destination for those interested in Gothic wooden architecture and part of a wider regional cultural heritage.

This context gives the visit a clear focus: the wooden construction and its place within a shared World Heritage Site are at the heart of it. If you are interested in historic architecture, you can include Sękowa in your travel plans with this aspect in mind. The wooden church is not merely a keyword for choosing the destination; it is a point of reference for a regional theme that extends beyond a single building.

The Długosz Mausoleum in Sękowa

The Długosz family mausoleum offers a different architectural accent. It is located in the parish cemetery in Sękowa and was completed in 1928. The building is elegant and imposing, and its style evokes the form of an ancient Greek temple. Together with the Gothic wooden church, the mausoleum invites a comparison between different architectural influences: Gothic wooden construction on the one hand, and a monumental temple form on the other. The year of completion also places the mausoleum in a specific historical period.

Festival, Music and Traditional Crafts

On a Saturday, 29 August, Sękowa was once again a stop on the “Muzyka Zaklęta w Drewnie” festival. At a past edition of the “Muzyka Zaklęta w Drewnie” festival, the ensemble Tulia performed in the historic Church of St Philip and St James in Sękowa. Past editions of the festival also included workshops, demonstrations and meetings about traditional crafts near the church in Sękowa. Topics included ceramics, weaving, herbalism and historical uses of natural raw materials.

Local food and regional touches were also part of the programme at a past edition of the festival. At that edition, the festival presented the culture and traditions of the Beskid Niski alongside the music. The programme items mentioned ranged from a concert and craft demonstrations to regional food. As they are associated with individual festival editions, it is best to plan a festival visit around specific event dates.

Hiking Trail through Sękowa

For a different focus, a blue hiking trail runs from Gorlice to the mountain hut on Magura Małastowska and passes through Sękowa. The hut is 813 metres above sea level. The starting point and destination give the route a clear direction, with Sękowa along the way. When planning, you can therefore choose between focusing on architecture and culture or including this hiking route in your trip. Check the current condition of the trail before setting out.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Trip

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Sękowa, start by considering which themes you want your holiday days to revolve around. The wooden church and the mausoleum represent two different architectural interests; the festival and hiking trail offer further options. For families with different preferences, it can be helpful to agree in advance on which of these to prioritise.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Ropa, Czarne, Ropki, Wysowa-Zdrój, Bobowa, Hańczowa, Korczyna, Rożnowice.

Return to the main travel overview: Gorlice.