Komańcza is a village in south-eastern Poland, located in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship on territory which in the past was home to the Lemko ethnic group. The village is located on the old Sanok - Lupkowska trade route and was founded on royal property under Wallachian law in 1512.

In Komańcza is a 7 km long nature and historical path leading through all of the most interesting points local monuments and sites. The architectural jewel of the village is the wooden Church of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was built in 1802. Another rarity is the Monastery of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, which has the character of a Swiss-style spa pension. In years 1955 – 1956, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński was interned here.

If you like peace and quiet, you’ll certainly want to go on an easy hike to Prełuki. The hike will last no longer than an hour, and when you get to the Osława River, you’ll find a peaceful place above it, where you can observe the surrounding nature, pick blueberries, raspberries or mushrooms.

Wooden Church Of Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The wooden village church, built in 1802, is considered to be the pearl of the architecture of the East Lemkos. The church was occupied by Uniates (Greek-Catholics) until it was taken over by the Orthodox Church in 1963. The Uniate worship was held in the Roman Catholic chapel until 1987 when a new Uniate Church was built.

The old wooden church was destroyed by fire on 13 September 2006, but the bell tower is still standing. Several liturgical books from years 1638 to 1793 were also seriously damaged or destroyed in the fire.

The Monastery of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth (in Polish: Klasztor Sióstr Najśw – Rodziny z Nazaretu (Siostry Nazaretanki)

Above the stop Komańcza Letnisko is the Nazareth monastery, which was originally a holiday pension. From 27 October 1955 to 28 October 1956 the monastery was the place of internment of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński. A small museum has been set up in Komańcza to commemorate the Cardinal. Visitors have the chance to visit the room in which he lived.

 

Source of title photo: Kláštor Sestier Svätej Rodiny z Nazareta, KOCR Severovýchod Slovenska