Green Velo

Among the fields surrounding the Polish-Ukrainian borderlands, the village of Wielkie Oczy (“Great Eyes”) can be found. This small village with an interesting name is a place, where many valuable monuments can be found, including the places of worship of three denominations.

The known history of the village dates back to the 14th century, and it was named after the nearby ponds. In 1671, it was granted town privileges, and lost them in 1935. In the 1930s, the town was characterised by a mixture of ethnicities and religion typical for the Borderlands, dominated by Poles, Ukrainians and Jews. In the 18th century, the parish church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which houses a painting of the Our Lady of Wielkie Oczy, famous for its miracles. The Greek Catholic Orthodox church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was built in the 16th century. After its destruction it was rebuilt in 1924. It survived World War II unscathed, and after Operation “Vistula” it was adapted as a warehouse. The church seldom serves its religious role and the conservation works did not improve its poor condition. It is the only Orthodox church in Poland built on a timber frame, using the wattle and daub method. The last place of worship in the village is a synagogue built in 1910, which after World War II was given to a local agricultural cooperative and slowly fell into a state of ruin. In 2011 thanks to the initiative of the local government’s efforts, the synagogue was renovated. A defensive manor from the 17th century is also located in Wielkie Oczy, and currently houses the seat of the municipality.