KNOWN AND UNKNOWN
ATTRACTIONS OF KARPACZ

It’s located in the center of the village in a historic Upper Lusatian house built in the 18th century. At the museum, you’ll learn about the history of settlement in the Karkonosze Mountains and the most interesting fauna and flora. You’ll learn about the early days of tourism and the history of winter sports, especially tobogganing.

The museum advertises itself as housing Kamil Stoch’s skis, but this is just one of many memorabilia from famous athletes. It’s full of fascinating information, narrated by Krystyna Czubówna in the paid audio guide (I recommend it). There are also historical skis, sleds, bobsleighs, and medals.

The Carpathian promenade is a section of Konstytucji 3 Maja Street, where you should pay attention to several places as you stroll.

The first is the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The church was consecrated in 1908 and combines Neo-Romanesque and Neo-Gothic styles. It was built as an Evangelical church, but after the war it became a Catholic church.

On the opposite side of the road is a square with a fountain and a unique linden tree. The tree is 5 meters in circumference, 22 meters high, and over 250 years old. It is a natural monument and is known as the Court Linden. The name refers to events from the past, when trials were held under it on hot days.

When the heat wasn’t oppressive, trials were held in the court inn located opposite. It is now a holiday home and the “Bachus” restaurant. The current building dates back to 1836. It is located on the site where a court inn likely stood as early as 1602. Interestingly, Karpacz has three court inns, the most in Poland. This is partly due to the fact that the town was formed by the merger of several villages, settlements, and estates.
The Karpacz promenade begins near the inn, filled with restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. Those who enjoy the atmosphere of Zakopane’s Krupówki Street will easily find something to enjoy. The promenade also has several points of interest.
On the right, you’ll see a church tower with a distinctive onion-shaped dome. It belongs to the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was opened in 1910, and the tower’s shape is reminiscent of traditional Tyrolean Baroque architecture.
The Conquerors’ Footprints Square is the local Walk of Fame. Over 20 bronze plaques feature footprints and the names of Polish mountaineers. Many of them are no longer alive, so it is even more worth visiting this place.

As you continue your walk along Mickiewicza Street, you won’t miss the strange figure. The monster has the head of a griffin with deer antlers, the legs of a goat, spread wings, a tail, and a staff. According to the oldest graphics, this is what the Mountain Spirit looks like. The figure stands in front of the building housing the Karkonosze Mysteries.

Inside, you’ll find an interactive exhibition, allowing children and others to learn about the legends associated with the Karkonosze Mountains and the Mountain Spirit. Before entering the exhibition, the friendly staff will provide detailed information on what to expect and what to look out for. The exhibition itself is very atmospheric, with light and sound creating a mood. There are also multimedia screens with interactive games.

At the end of the 19th century, Karpacz was hit by a catastrophic flood, destroying the railway line, many buildings, and farms. To prevent further floods, the Łomnica River was regulated and a dam was built between 1910 and 1915. Its crest is 105 meters long, creating a small lake with charming cascades. It is only 700 meters from the Mysteries of the Karkonosze Mountains, and along the way, you’ll pass a park with metal animal sculptures. The dam is traversed by every hiker on the red Main Sudetes Trail.

The Wang Church, also known as the Wang Temple or the Mountain Church of Our Savior, is a symbol of Karpacz, although it does not originate from this location. The wooden church was built at the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries in the southern Norwegian town of Vang. When it proved too small for the local community, it was sold. The buyer was the Prussian King Frederick William IV. He paid 427 marks for it, after which the church was dismantled and transported in crates, first to Szczecin and then to the Royal Museum in Berlin. It was intended to be built in Berlin, but thanks to Countess Frederick von Reden of Bukowiec, it was reconstructed in Karpacz to serve the local Protestant community.

The structure of the Wang Church resembles a Viking ship and was made without nails from highly durable Norwegian pine. Only 1/15 of the structure was shipped from Norway, the rest being recreated from drawings. New elements include the cloisters and windows within them and in the interior walls. A granite tower was also added to protect the church from the wind. Original features include the entrance door, four columns, and the ornamentation and runic script. The church is picturesquely situated, and right next to it is an old churchyard cemetery. The most famous person buried there is Tadeusz Różewicz.

There’s only one Queen! Śnieżka, 1,603 meters above sea level, is the highest peak in the Karkonosze Mountains, as well as the entire Sudetes. Like Babia Góra, you can climb it many times and still not have enough. Śnieżka lies on the Polish-Czech border, and it can be climbed from both countries.

If I had to answer the question, which trail is best to climb Śnieżka? I would suggest the yellow one from the Wang Temple to Słonecznik, and then the red one to the Silesian House. From there, it’s only 40 minutes to the summit. This is definitely the most interesting and scenic trail. An interesting alternative is the blue trail, which leads from the Wang Temple, through Samotnia, to the Burnt Watchtower. From there, it’s just a short section along the red trail to the Silesian House and up the mountain.

The fastest way to Śnieżka is to take the cable car to Kopa. Then, follow the black trail to the Śnieżka Pass. From this point, as in the case of previous suggestions, follow the red trail to the Silesian House and then to the summit.

Continuing along the Polish-Czech Friendship Trail, you’ll pass the Czech mountain hut Jelenka and reach Sowia Przełęcz. There, you’ll find a detour from the blue trail leading to Skalny Stół (Rocky Table).
This is the highest peak of the Kowarski Grzbiet (Kowary Ridge), at 1,281 meters above sea level. However, it’s not as popular as Śnieżka, so fewer people climb it, and the views are fantastic. From there, you’ll see Śnieżka, the eastern Karkonosze Mountains, the Rudawy Janowickie Mountains, the Jelenia Góra Valley, and the Kaczawskie Mountains.

The shortest and easiest trail is the blue trail from Okraj Pass. You can also take the yellow trail from Kowary. The black trail leads from Karpacz to Sowia Pass.

The Municipal Toy Museum in Karpacz is a popular attraction, primarily for children. Located in the former railway station building, the exhibition features over 2,000 exhibits. The museum’s collection was based on the collection of Henryk Tomaszewski, creator of the Wrocław Pantomime. Toys from around the world are on display, including, but not limited to, dolls. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions. The Railway Tradition Room is an additional attraction.

The Toy Museum and Karkonosze Secrets are not the only places that will appeal to the youngest in Karpacz. Also waiting for the little ones are two toboggan runs at the “Kolorowa” Recreation and Sports Center, the Fairy Tale Park, the Museum of Video Game Consoles, the Private Museum of Technology and LEGO Buildings, the World of Trains, and the Multimedia Museum of the Karkonosze Mountains.