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Nowica: Church, Forest Quest and Spoon-Carving Tradition

Accommodation in Nowica

2 adults · no children · 1 room
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Nowica brings together three distinct themes: the quest “Dolina Przysłupianki skarbnicą czystego powietrza”, the Greek Catholic Church of Saint Paraskeva, and spoon carving, for which the village is known in the region. Nature experiences, sacred art and local craftsmanship sit side by side here. You can discover Nowica by solving riddles along a mountain stream, explore its architectural and artistic features, or turn your attention to a regional craft tradition.

File:Nowica, cerkiew św. Paraskewy (HB11).jpg File:Nowica, cerkiew św. Paraskewy (HB11).jpg Photo: Henryk Bielamowicz via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

A Forest Walk with Riddles

The quest “Dolina Przysłupianki skarbnicą czystego powietrza” is an outdoor game: you read rhyming clues and solve riddles to find the final word needed for a souvenir stamp. The challenge gives the forest walk a playful thread to follow. The route runs along the Przysłupianka mountain stream, and you can discover natural features along the way. The quest starts in Nowica. Here, solving the tasks goes hand in hand with paying attention to the stream’s surroundings. Unlike a cultural focus such as the church, the quest centres on solving riddles as you walk.

Wooden Shingles, Frescoes and Altars

Different materials and decorative details give the Greek Catholic Church of Saint Paraskeva its distinctive character. The walls are clad in wooden shingles, while the roofs and roof turrets are covered with sheet metal. Inside, frescoes from 1927 adorn the walls. The main altar, dating from the 18th century, stands in the sanctuary; a late Baroque side altar from the second half of the 18th century is located in the nave. It features icons of the Mother of God with the Child Jesus and of Saint John the Baptist. The church’s features can therefore be distinguished by location, subject and period: the frescoes date from the 20th century, while both altars are from the 18th century. For travellers interested in culture, the wall paintings and altars, and their respective locations within the church, give a concrete picture of its interior.

A Spoon-Carving Tradition

Nowica is known in the region for making spoons and for spoon carving. This theme complements the quest and the church with a focus on craftsmanship: it centres on a specific object and the work involved in making it. A spoon is a familiar household item; carving one also draws attention to the work that goes into its shape. The spoon-carving tradition thus directs interest to a different aspect of the village than the nature trail or the sacred art.

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Choose Nowica to Suit Your Interests

The three themes offer different starting points for planning your trip. If you enjoy combining a puzzle with a walk, the quest is the main attraction. Those particularly interested in architecture and sacred imagery will find several specific details in the church, while spoon carving turns the focus to regional craftsmanship. You can start by considering what kind of discovery you would like your holiday to centre on. If this mix suits your plans, you can tailor your search for a holiday apartment in Nowica to your chosen destination.

Discover more destinations: Rożnowice, Stróżówka, Gorlice, Gładyszów, Strzeszyn, Sękowa, Klimkówka, Hańczowa

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