Dunajec 3 Regions
Lesnica - Łącko - Szczawnica

After the Second World War, the interior of the church in Łącko required a new decorative scheme. A polychrome project designed by Professor Franciszek Walczowski was approved by the diocesan curia and commissioned for execution. The work was carried out in 1957–1958 and resulted in an art déco style decoration of exceptional artistic and decorative value.

Franciszek Walczowski (1902–1983) was a painter, conservator and professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków. In his work he combined Christian spirituality with reflection on Slavic culture, creating pieces rich in symbolism and depth. His church decorations are characterised by harmonious colour schemes and a subtle blend of realism with stylised forms typical of art déco.

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The Chapel of Our Lady of Częstochowa – a preserved masterpiece

The most elaborate painted decoration was given to the Chapel of Our Lady of Częstochowa, considered one of the artist’s finest achievements. Because of its outstanding artistic value it was left untouched during the 1996 renovation of the church.

In the chapel dome Walczowski depicted the Holy Trinity and a cycle of Marian scenes: the Betrothal of Mary, the Annunciation, the Visitation and the Presentation in the Temple. Below runs a rich frieze illustrating a millennium of Polish baptism and key moments in the history of Poland and Lithuania.

In the lower part of the dome, the artist painted, in chronological order:

• The angels at Piast Kołodziej’s house – symbolising God’s blessing for the future Polish nation and the sacred roots of its statehood.
• The Baptism of Poland – marking the spiritual birth of the nation and its inclusion in Christian Europe.
• The ransom of St Adalbert’s body – presenting his martyrdom as a source of strength for the young state and witness of faith stronger than politics.
• The Battle of Legnica – a symbol of the defence of Christian Europe and of Polish sacrifice.
• The dream of Leszek the Black – a metaphor of a ruler’s decisions inspired by trust in God’s guidance.
• The Baptism of Lithuania – recalling the spiritual and political union within the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
• The Vows of John Casimir – entrusting Poland to Our Lady during a time of national crisis.

Above the apse with the altar of Our Lady of Częstochowa is an allegory of Polonia and Lithuania – personifications of Poland and Lithuania shown as women united in prayer, expressing their shared spiritual and historical heritage.

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Symbolism and message

Walczowski’s polychrome is a painted meditation on faith and national history. Theological and historical motifs are intertwined, presenting Christianity as the foundation of Polish and Lithuanian identity. From the baptism of Poland to the defence of the state and faith, the scenes form a narrative of Christian culture shaping the fate of nations.

Under communist rule the paintings also carried a patriotic dimension: they became a discreet visual reminder of tradition and national memory at a time when religious and historical values were marginalised in public life.

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A work that survived

Originally the polychrome formed a coherent system of paintings covering the main nave and both side aisles. Due to their poor technical condition, most of them were covered with a new decorative scheme during the 1996 renovation.

Today, the decoration of the Chapel of Our Lady of Częstochowa is preserved in full, while the Chapel of the Passion (Crucifixion) on the southern side of the church retains only fragments of the original design. These are the only surviving parts of Walczowski’s cycle still visible in the Łącko church.

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Colours of memory

Professor Walczowski’s polychrome unites art, spirituality and patriotism. At a time when sacred art in Poland had to face ideological constraints, he created a work that can be read as a visual hymn to faith, nation and hope. More than sixty years later, the preserved paintings in the Chapel of Our Lady of Częstochowa remain a unique example of art déco church decoration in Małopolska and a testimony to the artistic culture of their creator.