Treasures of Rozwadowska's Parish
from 17.07-19.09.2016 New outdoor exhibition: the Market Square in Stalowa Wola-Rozwadow
There are few such interesting neo-Gothic churches in Poland. The Church of Our Lady of the Scapular in Rozwadów, dating from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, has not only good architecture referring to the best European standards, but also an interior design unparalleled anywhere else: from the excellent architecture, through the beautiful altars, to the absolutely unique and only in Poland design of paintings and stained glass windows by Prof. Adam Stalony-Dobrzański. The Rozhadov Parish Church is a treasure unto itself, but inside you will still find real pearls.
The Church of Our Lady of the Scapular in Rozwadów, dating back to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, has excellent architecture that refers to the best European standards. The parish church also has decor unparalleled anywhere else. The altars themselves, imported in the early 20th century from the Alps, from Tyrol, attract with their intricate carvings. On the other hand, the church’s unique atmosphere is created by the absolutely unique and only in Poland complex design of paintings and stained glass windows by Prof. Adam Stalony-Dobrzański (1904-1985).
Artist Adam Stalony-Dobrzański, professor of the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow, in his art reaches back to the sources of Christianity by introducing the canon of Byzantine art. A student of Mehoffer, he adds to his works the traditions of the Cracow school, but also a touch of avant-garde and cubist philosophy. In the Rozwadowski church, the concept of polychromy and stained glass is extremely thoughtful. Every bit of wall is decorated to the glory of the Creator. The magnificent stained-glass windows and paintings are complemented by biblical verses and fragments of prayers, painted with lettering specially designed by Dobrzanski. The stained glass windows in the elongated Gothic windows and the polychrome paintings on the walls and vault evoke many emotions. Some of the paintings refer directly to Orthodox church art, and in addition, placed among the cross-ribbed neo-Gothic vaults, they give the temple a mood and spirit of contemplation unparalleled anywhere else.
We hope that the open-air exhibition will encourage a deeper understanding of the Rozhadov temple. Those who have been many times may not have noticed all the unique details. On the other hand, those who have not yet visited the temple absolutely must make up for it. Meanwhile, a guide to the Rozwadowska parish is in preparation, where the church’s decor will be analyzed in detail.
Compiled by: Anna Szlazak; Photos: Jacek Kawa / Archive of the artist A. Stalony-Dobrzański / Archive of the Regional Museum in Stalowa Wola. Design: Lech Rowiński / concrete
