In the centre of Grywałd stands the Gothic parish church of St. Martin. It is built entirely of wood; its tower was added in the 17th century. Polychrome paintings have been preserved inside. A polychrome decoration dating from 1618 is located in the chancel and nave. There is also a late Gothic triptych from the early 16th century. At one particular site, a distinctive construction method, painted interiors and a historic work of art come together.
St. Martin: wooden construction and furnishings
The combination of Gothic design and an entirely wooden structure defines the church’s architectural character. The tower is part of the building, but has its own timeframe: it was added in the 17th century. This date refers to the addition of the tower, not necessarily to when the entire church was built. The design and the later-added tower thus show different aspects of the same building.
The painted decoration can also be dated precisely. Polychromy means multicoloured painting; the work preserved in the chancel and nave dates from 1618. The two areas mentioned show that this decorative feature extends across different parts of the church. For culturally curious travellers, this offers a different perspective from simply identifying the style: colour, location within the building and a specific year all come together.
A triptych is a three-part work of art. In St. Martin’s, it is a distinct feature alongside the painted decoration: the late Gothic triptych dates from the early 16th century, while the polychromy is dated to 1618. The tower was added in the 17th century. This chronology helps distinguish the works of art and architectural elements mentioned, rather than assigning them all to a single period. The church thus brings together several historical references in one building.
Views of the landscape from Lubań
Another highlight is in the area around Grywałd. A wooden observation tower stands on the summit of Lubań; from there, you can see the Tatra Mountains, the Pieniny and the Gorce Mountains. The viewpoint is outside Grywałd, making it a separate landscape feature, not part of the village centre. While the parish church is known for its architecture and furnishings, the tower offers views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
These attractions are easy to distinguish when choosing a destination: the centrally located church is a cultural site featuring Gothic wooden construction, painted decoration and a triptych. The tower on Lubań offers a landscape-focused experience, with views of three named mountain ranges. So if you are considering Grywałd, you can decide whether you are more interested in sacred architecture and historic furnishings or in a viewpoint in the surrounding area. The two sites are in different locations and give Grywałd distinct cultural and landscape highlights.
Discover more destinations: Obidowa, Ponice, Kluszkowce, Piekielnik, Falsztyn, Ochotnica Górna, Lipnica Wielka, Rabka-Zdrój
For the wider travel overview: Nowotarski.
