Wooden Churches of Southern
Little Poland (2003)
Poland
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The wooden churches of southern Little Poland represent outstanding examples
of the different aspects of medieval church-building traditions in Roman
Catholic culture. Built using the horizontal log technique, common in eastern
and northern Europe since the Middle Ages, these churches were sponsored by
noble families and became status symbols. They offered an alternative to the
stone structures erected in urban centres.
The six medieval wooden churches inscribed in the property are: Binarowa, Blizne, Debno, Haczow, Lipnica Murowana, and Sekowa. Only the church in Debno has been featured on a postage stamp. The wooden churches of Little Poland bear important testimony to medieval church building traditions, as these related to the liturgical and cult functions of the Roman Catholic Church in a relatively closed region in central Europe. |
The churches are the most representative examples of surviving Gothic churches built in horizontal log technique, particularly impressive in their artistic and technical execution, and sponsored by noble families and rulers as symbols of social and political prestige.
Sources and links:
Other World Heritage Sites in Poland (on this website). Inactive links are not described on stamps. Please refer to the UNESCO-listing (Poland-Section) for further information on such properties.
Revised 31 jul 2006 |
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