PL
The areas of Beskid Niski and Beskid Sądecki are an important tourist attraction of our country. The material culture left in these areas by the Lemko people, provides a rich source of knowledge about the people who inhabited these lands. Numerous heritage parks with orthodox churches, shrines and stone crosses are now protected from devastation. The contemporary inhabitants of the areas of Beskid Niski and Beskid Sądecki do not allow the destruction of what was created by many generations of the Lemko people and their culture. The area populated by the Lemko people, hereafter hereafter referred to as Łemkowszczyzna, is a recommended tourist destination. Its cultural heritage is the main attraction of the land where the Lemko people used to live for many generations, and that is why their material culture must be protected. Many of the beliefs of the Lemko people come to be a part of the folklore of later generations. The beliefs exist even now with only slight changes and are still prevalent in small villages in this area. Sculptures made of wood and roadside shrines are regarded as important sites in these areas. A great number of Orthodox churches were destroyed after World War II as a result of demolition and negligence in the preservation of the area. Governmental authorities as well as ecclesiastical bodies did not make any afford to save the churches. The Orthodox churches were plundered for construction material and fuel – many valuable artefacts were destroyed. Some churches had priceless icons, dating back to the 16th age, and sometimes even, the 15th century. There were also a lot of later paintings from the 19th century. At present, all the more valuable paintings are in the regional museums or have been stolen. Currently, in the Orthodox churches there are mostly paintings of lesser value. There are a lot of stone crosses or shrines, not only in cemeteries, but also by the roads of the entire Łemkowszczyzna. A lot of shrines are placed by the main roads as well as by the fields. Łemkowszczyzna is a very interesting area with its territory untouched civilization. This area is most certainly worth visiting. The material culture, which was left in these areas by the Lemko people, is a valuable source of knowledge abou the people who inhabited these lands.