Mała Wieś: Chapel and Historic Wooden Buildings

• The chapel is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and was founded in 1855 by Wojciech and Apolonia Smęder.
• Wooden house No. 23 dates from 1908.
• Wooden house No. 32 and a wooden barn on farmstead No. 23 date from the late 19th century.
• The “Mała Wieś Kapliczka” bus stop is on road 2038K.

The chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary links a specific year with the names of its founders: Wojciech and Apolonia Smęder had it built, or founded it, in 1855. The wooden buildings provide further dates. House No. 32 and the barn on farmstead No. 23 date from the late 19th century, while wooden house No. 23 dates to 1908. This makes it possible to place the local building history in context through buildings from different periods.

When choosing accommodation, you can consider whether to focus on Mała Wieś itself or on the culture and routes of the wider Wieliczka destination. The regional examples below are part of Wieliczka and are not features of Mała Wieś.

The Wieliczka Salt Mine is part of the UNESCO World Heritage property “Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines.” The underground Miners’ Route includes 7 to 14 mining chambers in the rugged workings around the oldest preserved Regis shaft and is up to 2 kilometres long. The archaeological exhibition at Zamek Żupny traces the development of salt production from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages. Zamek Żupny and its courtyard were closed for renovation on 8 September 2026; the work was expected to continue until the end of 2028. Check the latest status before visiting.

The churches in Wieliczka and the surrounding area also offer a chronological comparison. The wooden Church of St Sebastian in Wieliczka was built in 1582 and contains Renaissance paintings. The parish Church of St Clement was founded by townspeople in 1381 and preserves architectural elements from the 13th and 14th centuries. The Franciscan church and monastery were built in the first half of the 17th century and were the first stone church in the Reformers’ Province of Lesser Poland. In Grabie, the parish Church of the Assumption of Mary dates from 1742; its Gothic stone baptismal font dates from the 15th century.

Further examples broaden the picture of the wider destination: the Ursuline convent in Siercza is housed in a former Lubomirski palace dating from around the turn of the 20th century. The Jewish historic cemetery in Wieliczka dates from the 18th century. Remains of a former manor farm, including a granary, have been preserved in Raciborsko. These varied sites offer points of reference for exploring religious architecture and former manor farms.

The routes differ in their course: the yellow trail is a walking and cycling route between Wieliczka and Dobczyce. The red cycling trail, by contrast, forms a 27-kilometre loop through Wieliczka and Siercza. The “Las i stawy na Grabówkach” ecological protected area lies along the walking and cycling route from Wieliczka. As trail conditions can change, check them before setting out.

Siercza also has a riding stable where you can ride under the supervision of an instructor. If you plan to take advantage of this, check current availability. This makes it possible to distinguish Wieliczka’s route offerings from the local history of Mała Wieś without combining them into a single excursion itinerary.

The “Mała Wieś Kapliczka” bus stop is on road 2038K. Check a current timetable for departure times. A municipal overview dated 19 January 2024 lists metropolitan buses between Wieliczka and Kraków. As routes and services can change, check the current connections for your travel date.

Explore more destinations: Sułków, Jawczyce, Byszyce, Podstolice, Czarnochowice, Łysokanie, Niepołomice, Przebieczany.

Who is the chapel in Mała Wieś dedicated to?

It is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Wojciech and Apolonia Smęder founded it in 1855.

Which wooden buildings are mentioned in relation to Mała Wieś?

Wooden house No. 23 dates from 1908; wooden house No. 32 and the barn on farmstead No. 23 date from the late 19th century.

What is the bus stop in Mała Wieś called?

It is called “Mała Wieś Kapliczka” and is on road 2038K.

View the wider travel guide: Wieliczka.