Dukla: Church Art, Jewish Heritage and Nature

Church Architecture and Art in Dukla

The history of the Shrine of Saint John of Dukla begins with a wooden church. It was built in 1741 and founded by Józef Mniszech, the owner of Dukla at the time. From 1761 to 1764, the shrine’s masonry church and monastery were built. The dates thus mark two construction phases: first the founded wooden church, then, around two decades later, the church and monastery in masonry.

The Church of Saint Mary Magdalene offers a different example of religious architecture. It was built in the late Baroque style and has three naves and a single-bay chancel with a semicircular apse. “Single-bay” describes the division of the chancel; the apse forms its semicircular end. This makes it possible to appreciate not only the style but also the church’s spatial layout.

The church also houses a work dating from 1773: made of pink and black marble, it portrays Maria Amalia with striking realism. The building and the artwork offer different ways of looking at the church—through the layout of its space, and through the material and depiction of a single work.

Jewish History and Memorial Sites

The ruins of the synagogue built in 1758 are on Cegrowska Street. It was destroyed by the Nazis during the war. The Jewish cemetery lies on the southern edge of town, on the right-hand side of the road toward Barwinek. Its two adjoining sections differ in when they were established: the old section was laid out in the early 18th century, while the new section has been in use since around 1870.

The synagogue ruins and cemetery represent different aspects of Dukla’s Jewish heritage. The synagogue’s wartime destruction is part of its history; at the cemetery, the two sections make its development over time visible. The cemetery’s location on the southern edge of town and the direction of Barwinek provide specific guidance, while Cegrowska Street identifies the location of the synagogue ruins.

Seasonal Nature and Active Pursuits

At the entrance to Dukla from the direction of Krosno stands an avenue of black locust trees. It is particularly appealing when the trees bloom, at the end of May and in the first half of June; that is also when their fragrance is strongest. The exact flowering time can vary from year to year. So if you plan to visit the avenue as a seasonal highlight, it is worth keeping your travel dates flexible.

For outdoor activity, mountain bikes are available for hire at the MOSiR Dukla sports facilities. Ten mountain bikes are listed for hire, including two e-bikes. Check availability before your trip. There is also a climbing wall in the MOSiR Dukla sports hall; ask about current access before visiting.

Culture can also be part of an active outing: one stop on the ecological and historical educational trail leads to the Bernardine Monastery Church of Saint John of Dukla and the sculpture composition “Krzyż Pojednania.” This offers a choice of different interests: the bike hire with its listed bike types, the climbing wall in the sports hall, and a trail stop featuring a church and sculpture. When planning, you can decide which of these interests you want to shape your days in Dukla.

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