Szlaki województw śląskiego i opolskiego

The Church of St. James the Apostle in Małujowiceis a Gothic structure from the mid-13th century. The temple, which is the most important point on the Trail of Brzeg Polychromes, is called the "Silesian Sistine," due to the painting depicting the Last Judgment scene located in the church – similar to the one in the Vatican chapel. The paintings that can be viewed in the Małujowice temple come from three phases of the Gothic period. The cycle of one hundred paintings was conceived as a Biblia Pauperum (that is, Bible of the Poor), which served to disseminate knowledge about religion among the simple, illiterate inhabitants of the village. In 1817, all polychromes were covered with plaster, which was removed in the 1860s and subjected to conservation, consisting, among other things, of painting over missing and poorly preserved elements. The ceiling of the church is also a work of painting art, with geometric, floral, animal, and heraldic motifs. In the church, it is worth paying attention to the carved Gothic portal with a decorative element depicting the coronation of the Mother of God, St. Elizabeth, and the adoration of the Three Wise Men to the newborn baby Jesus, as well as a frame with sculptures of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, as well as rosettes and floral elements. The church is surrounded by a stone wall dating from the 15th century. In 2013, the church was recognized as one of the 7 New Wonders of Poland in a plebiscite organized by National Geographic Traveler. Practical information: The facility can be visited on Sundays, from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM and 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM; to visit on other days of the week, an appointment must be made by phone (tel. 663-606-908). Sightseeing is free of charge. Parking spaces directly below the church.