Chapel of St Florian in Żywiec

The Chapel of St Florian stands in Żywiec on Browarna Street, in the Zabłocie district, opposite the Church of St Florian. It was built in the early 19th century next to a spring, by the route leading towards Zwardoń.

The building

It is a masonry stone building, plastered, built on a rectangular plan and ending in a semicircular apse. In 1894 a square tower was added at the front. The roof is covered with sheet metal. In 2004 the chapel was restored on the 1,700th anniversary of the death of its patron.

St Florian and the fires

Inside stands a wooden altar with two columns, containing a 19th-century painting showing St Florian in a tunic, Roman armour and a helmet. It was believed that the saint's image would protect the village from fire. The 19th-century chronicles of the Zabłocie municipality describe how the locality was for many years struck by fires destroying wooden buildings.

Right next to it stands the Church of St Florian in Żywiec, and it is about one and a half kilometres from here to the co-cathedral.

Practical information

• Address: Browarna Street, Żywiec-Zabłocie, opposite the Church of St Florian.
• The hours when the chapel is open have to be checked with the parish.