Tourist attractions

- The castle in Niedzica

It was erected around 1310 by Kokosz Borzeviczy. It has become, like some other Hungarian castles, the fortification of the nothern border of Hungarian Kingdom. At the turn of XIII and XIV century the Polish border at Białka, Dunajec in Pieniny and the middle Poprad was strenghtened.

The castle had many owners. However it belonged to consecutive hungarian families until 1945 (although after WWI, in 1920, together with the part of Zamagurze it was joined to Poland).

The last owner, Gez Alapi Salamon’s widow (Aleksy’s grandson), countess Ilona Bethlen (died in 1964) arranged the lower castle courtyard and park surroundings and founded the family cemetery during interwar years. She left the castle before the winter of 1943 and neither she, nor her children came back there. In 1945 the castle fell prey to the Soviet Army and local people. It was nationalized by decree about agricultural reform and was taken over by the Ministry of Culture and Art and then handed over to the Society of Art Historians. Since 1950 guest rooms function in the castle. Since 1963 the Castle Museum functions. All the interiors were converted into museum and hotel rooms but their historical arrangement and character was retained. They received stylish fittings. The new castle function, together with its amazing architectural and spatial qualities among natural landscape of the Pieniny Mountains and the Dunajec Valley, attract many tourists and guests.

Legends: The testament of Incas. In unclear circumstances Sebastian Berzeviczy was to marry a Native American in Peru. Their daughter, Umina, was to marry the last descendant of the Incas dynasty, Tupac Amaru. They found themselves in the Niedzica Castle where Umina was knifed. Ill Sebastian entrusted his grandson Antonio to his nephew’s care, i.e. Wacław Benesz-Berzeviczy, by the document drawn up in 1797. This document also mentions the “testament” of Incas and their treasures which were submerged in Titicaca lake. In 1946 the descendant of Antonio, Andrzej Benesz from Bochnia, turned up at the Niedzica Castle with documents and witnesses. According to the instructions from the parchment 18 cm long lead tube was found. The mysterious testament written in small knots on thongs was hidden there. The news about this mysterious find filtered into the press through Jalu Kurek. Allegedly all the douments connected with Antonio’s adoption and the testament disappeared from Cracow. Andrzej Benesz was an MP and the Vice-speaker of the Sejm. He died in a car accident in 1976.


- The Red Monastery in Slovakia
The Red Monastery was dwelled in turn by Carthusian and Camaldolese monks.
First the Red Monastery (from 1320 till 1536) was a carthusian one (St. Bruno founded it in 1084).
The first carthusian monastery in Spisz was erected in 1305 on Klasztorisko by Letanowce in Słowacki Raj. Later, when monks received the town Lechnica in the Pieniny, they started to build the Red Monastery by this town in 1320. (The name comes from the red roof which was designed according to the plan of Fr. Jan, the first Prior of this monastery).

Both monasteries were built far from domicicles because Carthusians were one of the most strict monasteries and led ascetic lives. They dedicated themselves mainly to copying books. Little by little Polish and Hungarian rulers gave them various privileges (such as the right to fish in Dunajec, the mill right, the right to brew beer and judicial power).

Camaldonese monks received the Red Monastery as the gift from the bishop Władysław Matiaszowski. The monks started extending the monastery into a Baroque-style one (new houses for monks, a baroque tower by the church, the church renovation). Camaldonese monks, just as Carthusians, led lives like a recluse. They spent their time on running a farm, apiculture, treating the sick and collecting medicinal herbs). Around 1754 the pharmacy was founded which was famous far beyond Spisz mainly when run by Brother Cyprian in 1756 – 1775.

In 1782 the Camaldolese order was abolished by Franciszek Józef, the emperor. He claimed that the monastery is not useful anymore.
One can get to the Red Monastery by the new path through Dunajec in Sromowce Niżne.
The map showing the way to the Red Monastery – cf. the map in the bookmark “THE MAP”.


- Szczawnica resort
Today Szczawnica has 7,6 thousand citizens. It is a 8789 ha border spa town. Two thirds of the area are forests which have a great influence on the climate.
Thanks to specific microclimate and mineral water springs the town specializes in treating respiratory, digestive and urinatory tract diseases as well as motor organs diseases.
The health resort has a great treatment base, among others at Natural Medicine Department and Inhalation Department. The latter one is equipped in unique pneumatic chambers used for treating lung diseases and brine chambers in which inhalations effective in treating bronchial asthma are carried out. Szczawnica, just as majority of towns in Małopolska, offers many ways of spending free time actively.

Mountains covered with forests with rich fauna and flora attract enthusiasts of hikes. Numerous tourist trails lead to the highest peaks of the Pieniny and Gorce and to nature reserves such as Homole Gorge, Wysokie Skałki and to one of the most beautiful ones – Biała Woda reserve with many picturesque rocks and rock steps which form waterfalls and gorges. Trails are adjusted to physical fitness of an average tourist.

In the very centre of Szczawnica one can use a chairlift leading to Palenica from where one can admire a beautiful panorama of the Tatra and Pieniny Mountains as well as Beskid Sądecki and the whole Szczawnica. On a neighbouring Szafranówka there is a 700m high Alpine Coaster which is a great attraction both for children and for adults.

Thanks to the Dunajec rapid current water sports enthusiasts can check their skills by renting a canoe and covering a slalom course leading along the Dunajec Gorge route.
Enthusiasts of aerial view can enjoy it in the shelter “Pod Durbaszką” where paragliding courses are organized.

The stay in Szczawnica is an ideal possibility to familiarize with the beauty of the Pieniny National Park, with its unique fauna and flora and to visit nearby castles in Niedzica and Czorsztyn. One can also travel by ship on the Czorsztyn Lake or by boat or canoe on Dunajec.

Rafting along the Dunajec Gorge is still a very popular tourist attraction.

Szczawnica is attractive also in winter. With the coming of snow it becomes a centre of winter sports. In the town – in the centre, in Jaworki and “Pod Durbaszką” – there are skilifts and ski runs both for beginners and for advanced skiers.

A halfpipe ramp situated on the peak of the mountain is a great attraction to snowboard enthusiasts. It is becoming more and more popular. There are many ski and snowboard equipment rentals in Szczawnica. Professional ski instructors are at your disposal.

Opening border crossings with Slovakia for pedestrians and bikes, especially the one in Leśnica, the nearest Slovakian town, contributed to make Szczawnica more attractive and to extend the offer of this town.

In the Pieniny Museum there is the ethnographic and historical exhibition devoted to the culture of highlanders from this region and the spa tradition. In the pump room “Magdalena” one can see cyclical painting, sculpture and embroidery exhibitions of local authors.

In Jaworki, a few kilometres away from the centre of Szczawnica, there is a haven for artists “Muzyczna Owczarnia”. Rock, blues, jazz or country concerts take place there. Also many other popular Polish and foreign artists have their performances there. Original interiors and unique climate make connoisseurs of good music gather there every weekend.

The natural resources of mountains and the charm of XIX century spa architecture together with active leisure possibilities attract more and more nature enthusiasts each year.

In the Czorsztyn district and its vicinities there are many beautiful places. The views are breathtaking. One should see them himself.
You are kindly invited!