Crosses and Shrines in Poland’s Winter Landscape

​Often referred to in literature as "small sacred architecture," roadside crosses and shrines are an integral part of Poland’s landscape and cityscape. Anyone who has traveled to Poland has to agree that it is impossible not to notice the innumerable crosses, religious statues and little chapels that seem everywhere one looks.

Statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Bliskowice, Poland. Edward Knab photo.

     Over the centuries of Poland’s Christian heritage, they were erected by individuals as a token of gratitude for graces received, to ask forgiveness of sins or as memorials of important events in the life of the founder or founders. Polish ethnographer Tadeusz Seweryn beautifully described them as “… the prayers of the people scattered across the Polish landscape, carved in wood or carved in stone. They are the manifestation of a pious heart.’” The establishment of roadside shrines were essentially acts of faith that arose from a real need from someone’s heart and soul. Each shrine or cross was unique, each one erected for a specific reason and each erected in a special place.

    Frampol, Biłgoraj County, Lublin Voivodeship. Edward Knab photo.   

    This was especially important in the winter. When the narrow, dirt roads of those early times were often covered with a high layer of snow, the tall crosses facilitated orientation to the landscape. This was especially true in small villages that were established in the vast mountainous regions of Poland where the winters were fierce with snow and wind. 
​

 Winter in the Tatra Mountains pre 1939. Narodowy Archiwum Cyfrowe. Polona.pl

   ​In summer we would see the shrines decorated with fresh flowers, as well as annuals and perennials.  In winter they are no less adorned and cared for with ribbons,  flags flying high in the wind and colorful artificial flowers.

 Frampol, Lublin Vovoidship. Edward Knab photo.

​Against the background of nature’s coat of winter white, among the filigree of tree branches,  the many shades of evergreens, and the blue of the sky, the numerous crosses, religious figures and chapels in Poland’s landscape quietly make their testaments of the faith of the people of Poland. 

For more about the roadside shrines of Poland look for the book titled Spirit of Place: The Roadside Shrines of Poland, Hippocrene Books, Inc. 2023. Available from Hippocrene Books, Polish Art Center, Polish American Journal Bookstore and Amazon.
​
​