Lizard
After traveling 1/3 the road you come to the left turn of Balzera Street (marked with signposts), which leads to the U Maćka campsite.
Then the road crosses the Olczyski Stream, along which the path to the Olczyska Valley winds southwards. Just a sharp turn on the road to the right and the chapel on Jaszczurówka overflowing from the thickets of spruce, like a pagoda against the background of sakura trees from Hokusai's woodcuts. It is another example of Zakopane style architecture, which allows to assess the size of Witkiewicz's project. Because only a man overwhelmed with passion and love for the highlander region could contain so much beauty and charm in such a small building.
Chapel in Jaszczurówka
The chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was funded by the Uznański family, it was designed by Stanisław Witkiewicz. Name of the hamlet Jaszczurówka, also used to name an object, comes from the numerous spotted salamanders found here in the past, called lizards by the local people. The chapel belongs to the Cyrhla parish and is looked after by Marian priests.
Although it is one of the smallest temples in Zakopane, all modern churches next to it, and the one from Krzeptówki, and from the Clerks' Lots, seem great, cold hangars. A chapel, formed in 1906 r., was built of spruce wood without the use of nails. Local highlanders put it up, bestowing it, which is the most beautiful in highlander construction. You go up the stairs to the terrace surrounded by arcaded arcades. Above the entrance, under a separate roof, sits a wooden Pensive Christ and "counts" the faithful. The chapel's windows and doors have richly carved frames. The whole is covered with a gable shingle roof, dominated by a turret with a cross and a lily-shaped turret. It violates the harmony of the entire structure on the base of the quadrilateral – but unscathed – an annex which is the entrance to the sacristy and the staircase, leading to the priests' room on the first floor.
The interior is a true masterpiece of highlander art. First impression, which are received after crossing the threshold, it is the heat radiating from the mass of wood. Secondly, the simplicity of the decor is noted, then the precision and mastery of sculptures and ornaments is noticed. If someone has not seen wood lace so far, here he has the opportunity. The main altar resembles a highlander's hut; the image of Christ with his heart bared dominates over him. Stained glass shimmers on both sides – on the right, Our Lady of Częstochowa with the coat of arms of Poland, on the left, Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn with the coat of arms of Lithuania. A massive one hung in the middle of the ceiling, a five-armed oak chandelier. The chapel is open all days of the week from 10.00 do 17.00, but it's best to visit it on weekdays, when there are relatively few people. Next to it, there is a gallery of pictures on glass, which is located in the basement on the left side of the entrance and is open daily from July to September. Artists from Zakopane often exhibit their works here, treating this place as a kind of temple of art.
Many weddings take place in Jaszczurówka, especially concluded by international couples. Those who are more interested in the history of the chapel or gallery can confidently turn to those who reside at it (on the upper floor) hospitality, kind priests.
Highway, which you came to Jaszczurówka, It continues to wind up in sharp bends, in Cyrhli. To save yourself the stench of exhaust fumes and the risk of being hit by a local driver, it is best to go to the back of the chapel and take a moderately steep path through the forest in no time to climb the slope, going to the safer section of the road, from where it is very close to Toporowa Cyrhla. The reason, worth a little gasping for, there is a great view of the surroundings and a couple of old farmhouses. The characteristic motif of Cyrhla is perfectly visible from other parts of Zakopane, bright, almost completed Marian church. You can get back to the city by bus or by bus returning from Morskie Oko.