The Brzeski Trail of Medieval Polychrome Decorations
Strzelniki
Built at the turn of the 14th century, the branch church has a tower with a bulbous dome and a lighthouse which was added to it in the 17th century. It was renovated in 1853 when, among other things, its windows were enlarged and their layout changed, which damaged some of the paintings inside. In 1958 more renovation works revealed Medieval polychrome decorations under the layer of plaster. Painstakingly brought to the light and cleverly highlighted by renovators in 1966-1979, they have retained almost all of their assets. The paintings cover every wall of the church’s interior with the chancel, the aisle, the chancel arch all decorated.
?osiów
An interesting church situated on a hill. Inside there are late-Baroque illusionistic polychrome decorations.
Pogorzela
The Parish Church of the Sacred Heart dates back to the first half of the 14th century. Only its tower is more recent dating back to about 1600. In mid 19th century the church was renovated and the layout of its windows was changed. The vault of its two-bay chancel is cross-ribbed with the ribs resting on three-sided stone corbels. Polychrome decorations of the chancel were made in different periods starting from the first half of the 15th century. The oldest ones are to be found on the vault. Their creators remain unknown, but we do know that they were local Silesian artists. The style suggests the same artistic workshop as the one of the painter responsible for nave decorations in Strzelnice. The church interior is especially valuable for its Baroque altar from 1723.
Krzy?owice
The branch Church of the Ascension is a small village church. It has a brick three-sided chancel from the 15th century, a skeletal frame nave and a wooden tower from the 16th century. The chancel is decorated with two separate polychromes in ornamental frames which at first glance makes them look like tapestry. We can estimate that they date back to 1418-1428. The polychrome decorations were discovered in 1963 and renovated in 1983.
Obórki
A quaint 16th century church with a brick nave and a skeletal frame of the chancel and the tower. In the interior, there is a wooden ceiling covered with polychrome panels from the 17th century and a Gothic triptych in the altar.
Ma?ujowice
The village of Ma?ujowice has its place in the history of art thanks to its church.
The church was built at the beginning of the 14th century of brick with a stone underpinning. It has a high tower form the 16th century topped with a pyramid spire with pinnacles in the corners. The interior of the church is especially valuable thanks to its rich polychrome decorations and splendid architecture.
The polychrome decorations come from three phases of the Gothic period. The oldest and the only authentic ones date back to 1360 – 1370 and are to be found over the ceiling. The ones in the nave are adjusted to the present height of the church and were made before 1483. In addition to paintings, it is also worth mentioning the architecture of the interior. The Baroque high altar dates back to 1680. Choir is located on the chancel beam. Next to the cross there are sculptures of St. Andrew and St. Bartholomew form around 1500.
Pogorzela, Krzy?owice and Obórki in the Olszanka municipality, Strzelniki and ?osiów in the Lewin Brzeski municipality, Ma?ujowice in the Skarbimierz municipality
Wall decorations in village churches in the Brzeski region; multicolour Gothic paintings decorating walls, ceilings and vaults showing clear signs of Medieval architecture aesthetics.