Hidden deep in the Bieszczady forests, the Orthodox church in Łopienka is one of the most atmospheric spots in the whole region - a lonely sanctuary with a miraculous icon and a story that reads like a legend, though every word of it is true. Once the most important Marian shrine in the Bieszczady Mountains, it now draws hikers seeking silence and a sense of history in these once-abandoned lands.

The church stands alone on a clearing surrounded by ancient lime trees, far from any settlement - the village of Łopienka itself no longer exists after the postwar resettlements. The setting has a unique, melancholic charm: rustling forest, birdsong, and the whitewashed church rising against the hills. In summer the place comes alive during the annual pilgrimage feast, while autumn and winter bring an almost mystical stillness. It's a perfect destination for those who enjoy quiet, reflective walks along the Bieszczady borderland.

• Parking on the Dołżyca - Bukowiec route, at the entrance to Forest Road No. 35 - green walking trail, approx. 1.15 h, easy route
• From there you can continue on the green trail to Hyrcza Pass (1.00 h) and further to Korbania (1.30 h)

• The church was most likely built in the first half of the 19th century on the site of an earlier chapel
• Inside is a copy of the miraculous icon of Our Lady of Łopienka, the original of which is kept in the church in Polańczyk
• Nearby stand a rebuilt burial chapel and a wooden belfry
• Every year on July 13 a pilgrimage feast draws visitors from Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine

According to local legend, the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary was first spotted by geese, whose honking alerted nearby villagers - and it was on that very spot that the first shrine was built.