Beautiful wooden Orthodox churches are an extremely important, if not the most important element in the landscape of the Lemko region. This is due, inter alia, to the fact that they are extremely harmoniously connected with the environment. They were usually situated on small slopes or on platforms of steeper slopes. Surrounded by trees, from among which the helmets of the log domes protrude, they were an extremely charming element of the landscape.
Until the end of the 18th century, the Lemkos built their temples only of wood, mainly conifers: spruce, fir and pine. The foundations were made of larch or oak. Porters, doorframes and cornices were also made of this harder material.
The classic, typical Lemko church has a log structure, three-sectioned, with a wider and higher nave, tented roofs, with turreted finials and a room-like tower from the west. The roof truss is exclusively of a collar beam structure. In the oldest churches, windows were placed only on the south side, which could be purely practical - there was more light from this side. Orthodox churches were oriented to the east and consisted of the altar part - the chancel, the nave and the vestibule, also known as the women's gallery.
Cemeteries were established near the church. They were distinguished by interesting patterns of folk stonework. Simplified, folk forms of the Crucified Christ dominated. Other interesting forms appearing in the decoration was the motif of an oak leaf on the plinth of the monument. In Płonna, however, a grooved stone cross entwined with oak leaves has been preserved. Purchased iron castings were a separate form. A similar style in the execution of monuments can be seen in votive crosses - roadside crosses.
Chyże are also characteristic of the Lemko region. Currently, examples of former rural construction can be found mainly in open-air museums. In the eastern part of the Lemkos region, most have survived in the Komańcza commune, in Smolnik, Komańcza or Wisłok Wielki.
The old swings were richly decorated. The gaps were painted white or blue, while the beams were smeared with red clay. Similarly, trunks of fruit trees in orchards were painted red. In addition, the frames, doors and the remains of the beams were painted with geometric and floral patterns. An example of such a cottage in the field can be "Chata nad Wisłokiem" in Wisłok Wielki.
The text comes from the study "INVENTORY OF CULTURAL RESOURCES OF THE BORDERLAND - THE ETHNOCARPATHIA PROJECT" realized by the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University for the District Museum in Rzeszów.
Author: Mrs. Marta Graban-Butryn .
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