Typology and valorization of the small sacred architecture objects in the landscape of the Wodzisław area

Religiousness is a characteristic feature of people from Upper Silesia. This is reflected by the condition and number of sacred monuments. Research that was carried out, covered 107 objects of small sacred architecture, which, in authors understanding include: sculptures of saints, conciliation crosses, roadside crosses, stone roadside chapels, wooden chapels and Marian columns. The aim of this article is to create typology and valorization of places in Wodzislaw area where such monuments occur. The authors awarded points to sacred monuments according to a set criteria, which allowed to create a valorization map. The highest amount of points present places that are centres of religious cult. The biggest intensity of sacral monuments occurrence is noticed in the center of Wodzisław Śląski and in Pszów - the city which attracts many pilgrimages. Chapels, sculptures and roadside crosses are inseparable elements of Wodzisław area landscape. There are plenty of them in every town, near roads, in fields, next to churches, hospitals and graveyards. They carry a message about the past of the region and they symbolize the religiousness of its people