Gierczyce: Military Cemetery and Church Art

Gierczyce can be explored through three specific themes: Military Cemetery No. 336 on Czyżyczka Hill, the history of the parish of Matki Bożej Bolesnej, and the Małopolski Fruit Trail. For planning your trip, this distinction can help you decide whether you are particularly interested in a memorial site, local church history, the landscape, or a regional fruit-themed route.

Military Cemetery and Views from Czyżyczka

Military Cemetery No. 336 is located at the summit of the 364-meter-high Czyżyczka Hill in Gierczyce. Soldiers from the Austro-Hungarian and Russian armies who fell in 1914 during the Limanowa–Łapanów operation are buried there. The cemetery was established in 1915–1916 to a design by Franz Stark. In Gierczyce, Bochnia Municipality, it is listed under register number A-100/M, dated June 28, 2007. The dates refer to different stages: 1914, the military events; 1915–1916, the establishment of the cemetery; and 2007, its listing.

The hill is also a viewpoint. From there, the view stretches south across the Wieliczka and Wiśnicz Foothills to the Beskids rising beyond them. Two different perspectives therefore meet on Czyżyczka: views of the landscape and the history of the military cemetery. A route description recorded in 2017 mentions a turn between buildings onto a path leading toward the water reservoir. According to this guide, the cemetery is about 200 meters from the Gierczyce–Nieprześnia road. Use this information as a guide and check it before your visit.

The Parish and Local Church History

Another way to explore Gierczyce’s history is through the parish of Matki Bożej Bolesnej, at Gierczyce 10, 32-744 Gierczyce. A manor house dating to around 1880 plays a part in its history: its extension created the parish’s temporary chapel. Czesław Gajek bought the manor house in 1972. This information links the history of the chapel to a specific building and its former use.

Inside the church are 19th-century paintings transferred from the chapel previously in use. Their provenance connects the church interior with that former chapel. For those interested in religious and local history, the paintings add a distinct aspect to the history of the manor house and temporary chapel: the transfer of works of art from the previous church space.

The Małopolski Fruit Trail

Gierczyce is also connected to a regional fruit-themed route. A regional description from 2012 lists the village as one of the seven sołectwa (village administrative units) in Bochnia Municipality through which the Małopolski Fruit Trail passes. This gives the village another point of interest alongside its wartime and church history. If you want to use the route for planning your trip, check the latest route information.

These points of interest are easy to distinguish: the military cemetery and panorama are centered on Czyżyczka, the history of the temporary chapel belongs to the parish, and the fruit-themed route places Gierczyce on a route described at the regional level. Choose which of these perspectives matters most to you for your visit.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Lipnica Murowana, Rozdziele, Kamionna K Bochni, Winnica, Rzezawa, Kamionna, Nowy Wiśnicz, Grobla.

For the main travel overview: Bochnia.