Sacred Heart Chapel in Jaszczurówka

The chapel in Jaszczurówka is one of the most beautiful timber churches of Podhale and probably the most photogenic work of the Zakopane style. It stands on a slope among spruces on the eastern edge of Zakopane, above warm springs, beside the road to Morskie Oko. The area's name comes from the fire salamanders that highlanders called "jaszczury" (lizards).

In the early 20th century the land at Jaszczurówka belonged to the Uznański family, who decided in 1903 to build a family chapel here. The design was made by Stanisław Witkiewicz — father of the famous Witkacy and creator of the Zakopane style. Construction began in 1904; according to Polish Wikipedia the chapel was consecrated in 1907 (the chapel's website gives 1906–1908). It was built of logs and, according to tradition, without a single nail. Later it was cared for by the parish in Poronin, the Marian Fathers and the chaplain of the Ursuline sisters, and in 1977–1983 Father Jan Kowalik, parish priest of Olcza, raised donations for a major renovation that saved the dilapidated building. Since 1984 services have again been led by the Marians from the parish at Cyrhla, and the plot and the building are owned by the Tatra National Park (TPN). The chapel is part of the Małopolska Wooden Architecture Route.

What to see

The chapel sits on a high granite base with arcades, with a wooden arcaded gallery above the terrace. The gabled roof and walls are covered with shingles, the small bell turret is topped with a metal cross, and the gables bear carved "suns", a typical highland motif. Above the main entrance, under a small roof, is a figure of the Sorrowful Christ by the carver Józef Janos of Dębno. The doors and window frames are richly carved. Following Witkiewicz's design, the entire decoration — from the building's form to interior details — is in the Zakopane style.

• The high altar — Witkiewicz designed it as a stylised highland cottage.
• Stained-glass windows — Our Lady of Częstochowa with the arms of Poland and Our Lady of Ostra Brama with the Lithuanian "Pogoń" (designed by Stefan Matejko).
• The Stations of the Cross, painted on glass by Józef Jan Jachymiak in the 1950s, plus side altars and an oak chandelier by Józef Janos.

Nearby, in summer, the John Paul II Gallery of Religious Folk Art holds an annual exhibition of glass painting.

Practical information

Jaszczurówka lies about 4 km east of central Zakopane on Oswald Balzer Road towards Łysa Polana and Morskie Oko. You can get here by car, taxi, or by the buses and minibuses that run along this road to Morskie Oko; from the stop it is a few minutes' walk uphill on a path with steps. Admission is free. Mass is celebrated on Sundays at 10:00 all year, and from 1 May to 31 October also daily at 17:00 (on Sundays additionally at 17:00). Sightseeing is not appropriate during services, so plan your visit for another time. No separate opening hours are published — the doors may be closed, but the chapel can be admired well from outside and from the gallery. In winter, surrounded by snow, it is especially picturesque. Schedule as of October 2026.

Nearby

Jaszczurówka combines well with a trip to Morskie Oko or to the Mickiewicz Waterfalls on the same road. Other Zakopane-style landmarks are Villa Koliba and the Tatra Museum in the town centre.

Official website: jaszczurowka.org

Photos: Augustyński, CC0, Wikimedia Commons; Scotch Mist, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; FilipK77, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; MagdaKonc, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Gswito, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Januszk57, CC BY-SA 3.0 pl, Wikimedia Commons.