Łomy: Discover the lake and chapels

Łomy offers two distinct sides of a Polish destination: Łomskie Lake and a series of chapels with a variety of architectural features. If you are looking for a place whose character can be understood through both its landscape and its architectural history, these details offer concrete points to consider when planning your trip. The lake’s size and depth can be stated just as clearly as the chapels’ different forms, materials and dates.

Łomskie Lake near Łomy

Łomskie Lake, also called Łomy, is located in Łomy, north of Jonkowo. It covers 22.4 hectares and is up to 6 metres deep. This gives the landscape around the village a clearly defined point of reference. The area figure describes the lake’s extent, while the depth figure indicates its maximum depth; the two values offer different kinds of orientation. The lake provides a thematic contrast to the chapels: here, the focus is on the location and measurements of a body of water, while there it is on architectural forms and historical context. When deciding which aspects of a destination interest you most, these are two clearly distinct perspectives on Łomy.

Chapels of different forms and periods

At the northern edge of the village stands a chapel dating from the second half of the 18th century. Its square ground plan, high shed roof and two niches are defining features of the building. A wavy cornice separates the niches. This combination of a ground plan, roof form and articulated wall area is precisely what distinguishes the chapel from the other chapels in the village. It also provides a distinct point of reference in the local architectural history.

The tallest chapel in Łomy has a small bell tower and stands in the village centre, near the turnoff to Garzewko. Next to it is a simply designed chapel with a niche and a gable roof. It was moved from the embankment of a busy village road to its present location; its original form and details were carefully preserved. The two chapels can be distinguished by their different features: one has a small bell tower, while the other is simply designed, with a niche and gable roof, and has a history of relocation.

Further along in Łomy are two brick chapels. One has varied architecture and a metal crucifix in its opening. The other is simply designed; a weather vane bearing the year 1975 sits on its roof. The differences therefore lie not only in the design, but also in the details that stand out in each case: the crucifix and architecture of one, and the weather vane and roof of the other. Other chapels in Łomy are built of red facing brick. Some have Neo-Gothic features and date from the late 19th or early 20th century.

A chapel dating from the early 19th century stands on the road to Jonkowo. It has a compact form, a gable roof, smooth walls and a small niche topped by a segmental arch. A second chapel on the road to Jonkowo, before the forest reserve, dates from 1908. A plaque bearing a date and monogram is set into its base. The construction dates and described details offer concrete distinguishing features without reducing the chapels to a single architectural style.

Other local features include numerous wrought-iron crosses on granite plinths. These also add to the range of forms and materials found in Łomy. When choosing a destination, you can weigh up whether you are more interested in the lake, the different chapel architecture or both. The buildings described differ in location, design and date; the lake provides a distinct landscape feature alongside them.

Discover more destinations: Skolity, Purda, Dywity, Biedowo, Mierki, Wilimy, Guzowy Piec, Wojtkowizna.

For the wider travel overview: Olsztyn.