It is a birthplace of the famous architectural style of Zakopane, which was conceived by Stanislaw Witkiewicz. The first buildings, the Church built in the nineties the nineteenth century. A new style of Zakopane and the surrounding area saved from foreign influence of the building, and imposed a further direction of development of architecture in the area. Below are the most interesting attractions in Zakopane

Sightseeing

• Zakopane is a perfect place for winter sports lovers. The area offers many well-equipped ski slopes: Kasprowy Wierch, Gubałówka, Butorowy Wierch, Nosal, Polana Szymoszkowa, Harenda and many others. In the city there are also special areas for cross-country skiing, the ski-alpinism and slalom.

• Not without reason, Zakopane is called the winter capital of Polish. Since 1990, held on Wielka Krokiew, the most important events in ski jumping, including the World Cup. During the World Cup competition in 2002, gathered here, 53-thousandth of the audience.

• Krupówki is the most representative street in Zakopane, located in the city center. Here you can buy local souvenirs and, of course oscypki, and take advantage of other activities (horse-drawn carriage ride, photos, paintings and caricatures commemorative, etc.)

• In Zakopane and the surrounding villages, the Highlanders continued to cultivate their traditions. An unforgettable experience may participate in the real highland wedding, which lasts several days. There was no lack plum brandy – śliwowica, or the delicious typical regional dishes such as soup – kwaśnica, or personally moskole – prepared meat products.

• Zakopane is also a tradition of making oscypek – sheep’s cheese. Smoked sheep cheese is decorated by numerous elements of Baca. Another regional product is curd, called bundz cheese. Mountaineers trying to get its production mainly in the time of spring – summer, when the milk has a milder and more natural taste.

• In the summer Zakopane is ideal for hiking and mountain climbing. The unique flora and fauna close to the Swiss nature will enchant everyone with its beauty. Numerous hiking and cycling trails, as well as the proximity of the Tatra National Park offer many attractions.

• People who like active holidays can climb to the top Głubałówki foot, and then come down the winding path from a height of 700 m on the “sledging” or in a sealed tube. It is also possible entry into the Głubałówkę by Hill Funicular.

• Kasprowy Wierch is one of the most popular peaks in Poland. At the top there is a meteorological and astronomical observatory, and a hill you can admire the magnificent panorama of the Tatras. On Kasprowy Wierch also can be reached by Hill Funicular.

• On the southern slope of Antałówka are not only tracks and ski lifts. On the hill facing the famous villas "Witkiewiczówka. There is also Pouches Pub and a swimming pool fed thermal waters.

• Morskie Oko is the largest and most beautiful Tatra pond. Lies at an altitude 1395 m above sea-level On the banks of the lake are rising great-limba tree and trout swim in the water. Worth seeing the Black Pond is located just above Morskie Oko. Is the second deepest lake in the Polish Tatra Mountains and is surrounded by mountain peaks.

• Valley of Five Polish Lakes and Roztoka Valley are the most inaccessible part of the Polish Tatra Mountains. Roztoki Valley stretches between two waterfalls: Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicz and Siklawa. From the stone bridge you can see the first of these waterfalls. However, in the Valley of Five Lakes, as the name suggests, there are five ponds.

• Kościeliska Valley creates a long and deep rocky gorge, whose walls in three places called gates (Kantaka Gate, Kraszewski Gate and Raptawicka Gate) ,approaching close to each other. This is one of the most beautiful valleys in the mountains accessible for tourists of all ages and all seasons. Along the way, in addition to memorable sights, you can see a number of additional attractions: Cave Mroźna, Krakow Gorge and Dragon’s Lair, Mylna Cave and Raptawicka Cave and pond Smreczyński. At the Hall Ornak is also a hostel where you can relax and dine.

• Above the Pond Smreczyński black trail runs before departing for Ornak shelter. His crossing takes just under 30 minutes and its surroundings is a strict nature reserve.

• Chocholowska Valley is the longest and largest valley in the Polish Tatra Mountains. In the lower part forms a deep gorge, which, as in the Valley are necking Koscieliska, called gates. Takes its name from the village Chochołów. With the presence of a large area in the valley of meadows and mountain pastures were once the largest center for shepherd animals. From the sixteenth century it was carried out on the mining and metallurgy, which lasted until the second half of the nineteenth century.

• Biały Potok Glade lies outside of the Tatra National Park, at the mouth of the Valley Lejowa. Flowing through the meadow along the Lejowa Valley is about 30 shacks shepherd – shepherd’s hut, residential and business buildings and sheds. From the seventeenth century, the Highlanders grazed sheep on this pasture. Biały Potok Glade is the most beautiful in spring, when it covers a thick carpet of crocuses blooming under strict protection.

• Church of Our Lady of Czestochowa, located on ul. Koscieliska is the oldest religious building in Zakopane, which was created in 1847. The building was made entirely of larch wood, interior is decorated with folk paintings and sculptures, and the main altar was placed a copy of the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa.

• Church of the Holy Family Roman Catholic is the oldest brick church in Zakopane. It was built in the late nineteenth century neo-Romanesque style. The interior is a mix of styles – neo Romanesque style and a typical highlander style. On 7 June 1997, visited the church, Pope John Paul II.

• Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima was erected as a votive gift for saving the life of Pope John Paul II after a attempt on his life in 1981. Beside the church is a chapel where the statue was placed in Brand Lady of Fatima offered by the Cardinal. Stefan Wyszynski.

• Beautiful examples of highland architecture and folklore are also shrines. The most important are: Chapel of Our Lady Jaworzyńskiej, Queen of the Tatra Mountains on Wiktorówki, Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Jaszczurówka , Gąsieniców Chapel on Kościeliska Street, and the Chapel of Our Lady Gietrzwałdskiej on Kiry.

• On Kalatówki there is a small wooden building, called the Hermitage St. Brtother Albert. Cell was placed there for the Founder of the Monastery, who often came from Krakow to Kalatówki. Currently in the hut is Memorial Chamber St. Brother Albert. 6 June 1997 visited the hermitage of the Holy Father John Paul II.

• The International Highland Folklore Festival takes place during the summer. During the festival presents regional costumes as well as art exhibitions, painting talented artists. You can also take part in tastings of regional delicacies. Their talents and traditional chants also present the best mountain bands.

• Tatra Wici is a series of different events related to the product of traditional regional delicacies. Among other things, organized a “Festival Oscypek”, during which its production is shown, different ways of its use in the kitchen and are carried out in various competitions and contests .Throughout the festival performances take place in the regional highlander tasting and oscypek and buncu.

• “Sabałowe Bajania” born out of the Podhale gawędziarstwa tradition, love of dance, music, singing and Goral. In the beginning was conceived as a competition for instrumentalists and storytellers, where you can see performances of regional teams. After several years of the program was expanded to a contest of folk singers and a singing contest for governor pytacy and wedding speech, a nationwide exhibition and fair of folk art, photography exhibitions, shooting competition and performances by regional foreign groups. “Sabałowe Bajania” is also Sabałowe night – a beautiful outdoor event at the jump.

• It’s worth to see another interesting towns and villages located in the vicinity of Zakopane. These include: Białka Tatrzanska, Biały Dunajec, Bukowina Tatrzańska, Kościelisko and Poronin.

History and Geography

• In the twelfth and thirteenth centuries with the whole Podhale Tatry were royal property. Zakopane name already appeared in a document of King Sigismund III Vasa from 1630. Its origin is connected with the word karczowisko. According to tradition, the first settlers in the region now Zakopane peasants and townspeople were fleeing from the wrath of secular and clerical lords.

• In order to legalize their stay on the ground the royal Zakopane settlers sent delegations to the king. Malicious claim that they have presented the king Michael Korybutowi Wiśniowieckiemu privileges for approval documents allegedly given to their ancestors by the Stefan Batory in 1578. The king finally approved in 1670 the law of the rural population.

• The Earth, however, yielded a small crop, which is why people are often attacked for merchants and travelers, looted their belongings. Legendary robber was living at the turn of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries Jura Janosik, from Terechowa on Slovakia. Bandit adventures and stories recorded in their stories Kazimierz Przerwa- Tetmajer.

• In the eighteenth century during the exploration of mining deposits discovered in the mountains of gold, silver, copper and iron ore., Deposits, however, exhausted in the second half of the nineteenth century.

• All Zakopane Goods, with a substantial part of the Polish Tatras bought in 1889 by Wladyslaw Zamoyski. His mother founded in Kuźnice, where he settled permanently with his son, school, business for girls. Attended to her owner not only rich but also noblewoman poor and rural girls. Count Zamoyski and limited felling of forests and helped to build a railway to Zakopane.

• After World War I, Count Zamoyski wrote down all assets in the form of a foundation nation. It provided the basis for the establishment after World War II, the Tatra National Park.

• In 1886, Zakopane, Poland was officially recognized as a health resort. The resulting first sanatoria, where treated tuberculosis. Better off building their own houses, inter alia, Helena Modrzejska , Henryk Sienkiewicz and Stanislaw Witkiewicz. Zakopane, Poland became a meeting place for intellectuals and young people from all partitions.

• On the first of September 1939, Zakopane, Poland was occupied by Nazi invaders. Tatra guides, masters and prominent skiers regularly exchange rate between Zakopane and Budapest. Migrated reports, money, weapons, and conducted illegal forms of young people who wanted to get into organized the Polish army in France. Many of them have paid the highest price, as 23 year old Helena Marusarzówna, prewar leading Polish skier, which is caught by the Gestapo, was shot after a long torture.

• Currently, Zakopane is an important sport in 1929 was host to the World Cup Ski Championships, followed in 1939 and 1962. For many years, also hosts the world’s best ski jumpers in the World Cup competitions in ski jumping. The success of Adam meant that under the Wielka Krokiew, where the competition takes place, came to 40 thousand people.