When planning a trip to Gilowice, two different interests go hand in hand: a historic wooden church with a distinctive local history, and unmarked routes in the Beskid Mały. The Łękawka River and cultural attractions ranging from a local group to documented events also add to the picture. If you are looking for accommodation, you can first consider whether cultural heritage or hiking will play a greater part in your stay.

The Wooden Church and Its History

The Church of Saint Andrew the Apostle in Gilowice was completed in 1545. In 1756, the wooden church was moved from Rychwałd to Gilowice. The two dates mark different stages in its history: its completion and, later, its relocation. The Silesian Wooden Architecture Trail is also relevant to understanding the building; the church in Gilowice is included on this trail.

The church therefore represents more than a single date in history. Its story links an earlier location with its present association with Gilowice, while the Wooden Architecture Trail places it within a broader thematic context. Those who especially appreciate historic buildings when choosing a destination will find a specific point of interest here, though the town’s history is not limited to the church alone.

Gilowice on the Łękawka

Gilowice, including the hamlet of Gilowice–Rozcięta, stretches through the valley of the Łękawka River. The river also features in the town centre, where a rest and educational site was established on its banks. It was created for tourists and residents of the Polish-Slovak border region. Alongside the building’s history, visitors can therefore explore a place to rest and learn, as well as the river valley.

Part of the territory of the municipality of Gilowice lies within the Beskid Mały Landscape Park. This refers to part of the municipal territory and adds to the area’s regional context. Together with the location in the Łękawka Valley, it explains why the name Beskid Mały is also important for finding your way around Gilowice, without implying that it covers the entire municipality.

Hiking and Cultural History

Gilowice is a starting point for unmarked routes into the Little Beskids (Beskid Mały). The term “unmarked” is important when choosing a hiking option: the routes are not described as marked trails. This clearly distinguishes the hiking opportunities from the local history associated with the church. Anyone considering Gilowice as a starting point should take the specific route into account when planning.

Local cultural history also has several facets. The regional ensemble “Dolanie” was founded in March 1997 at the Municipal Cultural Centre in Gilowice. This historical detail sits alongside the church and architectural history, and highlights another local cultural attraction that belongs to a different period.

One specific example of the connection between local history and a route is the Gilowice Cycling Tour held on 1 May 2023. The documented event began at the Chapel of Saint Joseph in the parish garden and continued to the border with Ślemień. It focused on chapels and roadside figures commemorating Saint John Paul II. At the Kuźnik Chapel, participants learned about the history of the chapel’s construction and the former tradition of singing at chapels on May evenings. These details relate to the 2023 event.

Another snapshot of community life from a specific date is the 2nd Christmas Market in Gilowice. On 17 December 2025, it brought together many local residents and visitors from elsewhere. Events, too, form part of the town’s cultural picture, alongside the history of its churches and chapels; the market mentioned here refers to that specific edition.

Which Focus Suits Your Trip?

These themes offer different ways to discover Gilowice: the church leads into architectural history and the Silesian Wooden Architecture Trail, while the unmarked routes connect the area with the Beskid Mały. The Łękawka, the central rest and educational site, and documented cultural events add further local points of interest to these two main themes. When looking for accommodation, it may therefore help to decide first whether local history or hiking should be your main focus.

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For the broader travel overview: Żywiec.