Church of St. James the Elder and St. Nicholas in Mechowo

Mechowo resembles a living open-air museum due to its architecture, consisting of numerous half-timbered houses from the late 17th and 19th centuries. Its pride is the charming timber-framed church dedicated to St. Apostle James the Elder and St. Nicholas, founded in 1742 by the abbot of Oliwa, Jacek Rybiński. This church is part of the temples located on the Pomeranian Cistercian Trail. Situated on a hill, surrounded by a stone retaining wall amidst old trees, it presents an impressive sight. The church, oriented and whitewashed, features a distinct chancel and a tower with a domed spire and lantern. The building rests on a foundation of hewn erratic boulders. The interior of the church captivates with its Baroque decor, and some of the paintings are the work of esteemed artists from Pomerania, such as Herman Han. Beautiful stained glass, a wooden baptismal font, and late Baroque side altars can also be admired here. The main attraction is the exquisite main altar, dating back to the mid-17th century and executed in the style of Dutch Renaissance - Mannerism, often referred to as Gdańsk Renaissance.