Gładyszów offers two clearly distinct points of interest for cultural history: the Orthodox parish church of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist and World War I Cemetery No. 55. The church brings together different construction phases, religious use, and the layout of its interior. The cemetery makes its own architectural statement with a restored wooden tower on a stone base. For a clear overview, it helps to distinguish between them: the church foregrounds its architecture and history of use, while the cemetery draws attention to the form of its central structure. This makes it easier to decide whether you would like to focus your cultural interest mainly on sacred architecture or cemetery architecture.

Church: Construction Phases and Use

The Orthodox parish church of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist was built in 1857 and extended in 1914, following a fire that destroyed an earlier church. Two construction phases are therefore evident: the building of the church and its later extension. The church is also part of the Wooden Architecture Route in Małopolska. This designation adds a clearly defined regional context to its local architectural history.

The history of its use also has several stages. Until the Lemkos were expelled in 1947, the church was used by Greek Catholics. It was later converted into a stable; in 1967, it was transferred to the Orthodox Church. The construction and extension dates therefore tell different parts of its story from the periods of use: 1857 and 1914 belong to the sequence of construction, while 1947 and 1967 mark stages in its religious use.

Interior and Cemetery Architecture

Inside, an iconostasis dating from the 20th century separates the nave from a closed, three-sided sanctuary. The walls and ceiling of the sanctuary are decorated with folk-style paintings of the Holy Trinity. The spatial division and the subject of the paintings are two distinct features of the church interior. Beside the church stands a wooden bell tower with a square ground plan and a tented roof.

World War I Cemetery No. 55 provides a different architectural point of reference. Its central feature is a tall restored wooden tower on a stone base, topped with a wooden cross. While the church can be understood through its several construction and use phases, the cemetery’s striking feature is concentrated in its tower, base, and cross. The two sites therefore make different statements: here, the articulated church interior and its history; there, the form of the cemetery tower.

Local History

The local history also includes the Ruska Rada of Gładyszów, which joined the Lemko Ruska People’s Republic. Following the postwar expulsions, some residents returned to Gładyszów after 1957 and resettled in their homeland. These connections add further themes to the architectural history: the Ruska Rada’s affiliation and the return of some of the population. During a cultural and historical stay, you can explore the buildings, religious use, and local history as distinct areas of interest.

Discover more destinations: Rożnowice, Kunkowa, Szymbark, Bobowa, Bystra, Czarne, Sękowa, Klimkówka.

For the broader travel overview: Gorlice.