Podkarpacie is a place where the paths of people with different religious beliefs—Orthodox, Greek Catholic, and Roman Catholic—have intersected for centuries. This cultural diversity is reflected in the region's architecture, with Orthodox churches becoming one of its characteristic elements. However, history has not been kind to Podkarpacie. World War II, changes in borders, and Operation "Vistula" led to the depopulation of some areas, partially destroying the cultural heritage of the region.
Church of the Protection of the Mother of God in Stare Oleszyce
This church, built in 1913, was constructed in the shape of a cross, with a central dome and a decorated portal at the entrance, flanked by sacristies. Nearby is the original bell tower and cemetery. The four main columns are adorned with paintings of the Evangelists. After the war, the church was no longer in use. From 1947 to 1989, it served as a warehouse. Although the building has been listed as one requiring urgent restoration work, no such work has yet begun.
Church of St. Demetrius in Stary Dzików
Another abandoned church is located in Stary Dzików. Built in 1904 and dedicated to Saint Demetrius, it was constructed on the site of several earlier churches, the oldest of which dated back to the first half of the 16th century. Around 1950, the church was vandalized, later serving as a warehouse, and eventually fell into disuse for many years. In January 2007, the building was used as a set for Andrzej Wajda's film "Post Mortem. Katyń Story." Since then, it has been closed and secured.
Church of St. Demetrius in Cewków
In Cewków, there is another church dedicated to Saint Demetrius, built in 1844 and renovated in 1925. The church's furnishings largely came from an earlier temple. A bell tower, rebuilt in 1927, stood nearby. After the Ukrainian population was displaced in 1947, the church was taken over by the State Treasury. The building was listed as a historic monument in 1987 and was included in the Wooden Architecture Trail in Podkarpacie.
