Just off the market square in Nowy Targ is the Church of Saint Anne. From the outside, it doesn't look like much. After all, it's not an old wooden church; it's not grandiose; aesthetically speaking, it's not even that nice; the wall surrounding it is a little cold; and even though the main gate (at right) has been renovated, it has a run-down feel.

But there's something about it I've always liked. Even before I saw the interior, which has the feel of an traditional, wooden Polish church, I liked this church. Perhaps it's the spacious garden out back. (Well, no "perhaps" about it.)

Though I'm not Catholic, I've wandered into this particular church several — even many — times. Usually it was because I had a bus back to Lipnica in a few minutes, and I just wanted somewhere quiet (and in winter, warm-ish) to sit. Often, instead of going into the church, I simply went for a stroll in the garden.

Exterior

The church is surrounded by a wall, in which there are several nooks (for lack of a better term) depecting the Stations of the Cross. (More information here.) The grass is rather bare, for most people seem to take the "short cut" through the yard instead of walking on the sidewalk — thus saving all of two strides, I'm sure.

The last time I was there, I noticed a small sign on a gate (not the main entrance) that reads, "Entrance: The Lord Jesus Waits."

Perhaps someone noticed that the wall wasn't terribly inviting.

The front door is usually closed. Just to the right of it, though, is an enormous depiction of the crucifixion, with the two thieves at Jesus' side.

A closer look reveals some interesting details.

To begin with, only Jesus has both arms nailed to the cross. (The nails are through the palms of the hands, even though I remember hearing in a class at college that that was unlikely, because it would not support the weight.) The thief on the left has his arms tied at the elbows, while the thief at Jesus' right has his right arm nailed and his left arm tied at the elbow. Indeed, the thief at Jesus' right is entirely asymeterical, for his right foot is nailed to the cross while his left hangs free.

One element of the shrine would be particularly troublesome for fundamentalist Christians, and that is the kneelers in front (clearly visible on the larger version). Fundamentalists see this as breaking the commandment against worshipping idols. They seem to equate praying in front of a figure with worshipping it. The figure is there not to be worship, Catholics will explain, but to help remind the Christian of the story itself.

Interior

Everyone I've ever seen going into or out of the church uses a small side door.

Once inside, it seems less neglected, for obvious reasons. The white/light color scheme helps with this too. Even the almost-minimalistic pues add to the relative feeling of lightness and openness.

Toward the back, you find the reason for the front door usually being closed: a heavy, low balcony that largely obstructs the entrance.