Discover Kunkowa

• The wooden Church of the Apostle Luke is now Orthodox; it was probably built in 1868 or earlier.
• Its ceilings and walls bear polychrome decoration created by Jan Jakubowski-Sasów in 1904.
• Elements of a Baroque iconostasis from 1796 and icons from the 17th century are located on the church walls.
• Above the church, a village cemetery with gravestones from the early 20th century lies on the hillside.
• Kunkowa is a small village near Lake Klimkówka.

The Church of St. Luke brings together several distinct historical connections. The building is made of wood and was a Greek Catholic church; today it is Orthodox. Its construction is thought to date to 1868 or earlier. The year should therefore be understood as an approximate date, not a confirmed exact construction date.

The interior also reflects different periods. The polychrome decoration on the ceilings and walls was created in 1904 by Jan Jakubowski-Sasów. The walls also feature elements of a Baroque iconostasis from 1796, as well as icons from the 17th century. Among the icons is a depiction of St. Nicholas, created after 1660. This gives you both a specific date for the wall paintings and older elements of the church’s furnishings to look for.

The history of cultural life in Kunkowa is also connected with particular individuals. Orest Hładyk served as village head for 32 years and worked as a translator; he was also active in community life. Maksym Hładyk founded a school in the village and developed its cultural life by establishing a theatre, a choir, and a reading room. His work thus represents several different forms of community life.

Another notable feature is the village cemetery above the Church of St. Luke. It lies on a hillside, and its gravestones date from the early 20th century. Together with the church art and the two Hładyks, it forms a cultural story encompassing the building and its furnishings as well as community life.

Kunkowa is a small village near Lake Klimkówka. The village’s cultural features and the nearby landscape offer two different starting points for planning your trip: you can consider whether your main interests are history and religious art, or whether you would also like to include the area around the lake in your plans.

If you are looking for accommodation in Kunkowa, you can relate the village’s name to the themes that matter for your trip. The historical information gives you a first impression of the destination; then choose a hotel according to your own requirements and the accommodation information displayed at the time.

Discover more destinations: Bobowa, Ropa, Strzeszyn, Wysowa-Zdrój, Czarne, Nowica, Szymbark, Sękowa.

How old is the Church of St. Luke in Kunkowa?

The wooden Church of the Apostle Luke was probably built in 1868 or earlier. It was Greek Catholic and is now an Orthodox church.

What works of art are associated with the Church of St. Luke?

The ceilings and walls are covered with polychrome decoration created by Jan Jakubowski-Sasów in 1904. The walls also feature elements of a Baroque iconostasis from 1796 and icons from the 17th century, including an icon of St. Nicholas dating from after 1660.

Which historic places and people are part of the village’s history?

Orest Hładyk served as village head for 32 years, worked as a translator, and was active in community life. Maksym Hładyk founded a school and established a theatre, a choir, and a reading room. Above the church, there is also a village cemetery with gravestones from the early 20th century.

Where is Kunkowa in relation to Lake Klimkówka?

Kunkowa is a small village near Lake Klimkówka.

Go to the main travel overview: Gorlice.