Attractions of Karpacz

The museum is located in the very centre of the town, in a historic 18th-century half-timbered house. It is here that you can delve into the history of settlement in the Karkonosze Mountains and learn about fascinating examples of local fauna and flora. Visitors will also learn how tourism developed in the region and what the beginnings of winter sports were, especially sledding.

Although the museum often promotes itself with information about Kamil Stoch’s skis, this is just one of many memorabilia related to famous athletes. There are many interesting facts to be found on site, which Krystyna Czubówna presents in an additionally paid audio guide (it’s worth using it!). Among the exhibits there is no shortage of historical models of skis, sledges, bobsleighs and numerous medals.

The promenade in Karpacz is part of Konstytucji 3 Maja Street, along which it is worth paying attention to several interesting places. The first of them is the Church of the Sacred Heart of the Lord Jesus, which was consecrated in 1908. The temple combines elements of neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic, and originally served as an evangelical church. After World War II, it became a place of Catholic worship.

On the other side of the street there is a square with a fountain and a unique lime tree, called the Court Lime Tree. This impressive tree is 5 meters in circumference, reaches 22 meters in height and is over 250 years old. Its name refers to the old court trials that took place in its shade on hot days. When the weather did not allow it, cases were resolved in the nearby court inn.

Today, the building of the former inn, dating back to 1836, serves as a holiday home and the “Bachus” restaurant. Interestingly, Karpacz can boast as many as three court inns – the most in Poland. This is due to the fact that the town was created by combining several villages, settlements and estates.

The promenade in Karpacz begins right here and is full of life thanks to numerous restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops. Fans of the atmosphere of Zakopane’s Krupówki will certainly find something for themselves here.
On the right side of the promenade, there is a church tower with a characteristic onion-shaped dome. It belongs to the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, opened in 1910. The shape of the tower refers to the baroque architecture of Tyrol.

The promenade is also home to the Conquerors’ Traces Square – a local walk of fame. Over 20 bronze plates immortalize the footprints and names of outstanding Polish mountaineers. Many of these people are no longer alive, which makes this place even more important.

Continuing your walk along Mickiewicza Street, it is hard not to notice an unusual figure. This fantastic creature has the head of a griffin with deer antlers, goat legs, spread wings, a long tail and is holding a staff. According to the oldest graphics, this is how the Spirit of the Mountains was depicted. The sculpture stands in front of the building that houses the Karkonoskie Tajemnice centre. Inside, there is an interactive exhibition, allowing both children and adults to learn about the legends associated with the Karkonosze Mountains and their mysterious guardian. Before entering the exhibition, the staff are happy to provide information on what to expect and what to pay special attention to. The exhibition is distinguished by its amazing atmosphere – the atmosphere is created by carefully selected light and sound effects. Additionally, visitors can enjoy multimedia screens and interactive games, which make learning about the history of the region even more engaging.

At the end of the 19th century, Karpacz experienced a catastrophic flood that destroyed the railway line, numerous buildings, and farms. In order to prevent further natural disasters, the Łomnica River was regulated and a dam was built in the years 1910–1915. Its crest is 105 meters long, and the accumulated water creates a small lake with picturesque cascades.

The dam is located only 700 meters from the Karkonoskie Mysteries, and the walk to it leads through a park decorated with metal animal sculptures. It is a popular point on the tourist route – everyone who hikes the red Main Sudeten Trail passes here.

The Wang Church, also known as the Wang Temple or the Mountain Church of Our Savior, is one of the most recognizable symbols of Karpacz, although its history reaches far beyond the borders of Poland. The church was built at the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries in the town of Vang, located in southern Norway. When, after many years, it turned out to be too small for the local community, it was decided to sell it.

The church was purchased by the King of Prussia, Frederick William IV, who bought it for 427 marks. After the transaction, the building was dismantled and transported in crates to Szczecin, and then to the Royal Museum in Berlin. Initially, it was planned to be rebuilt in the capital, but thanks to the efforts of Countess Fryderyka von Reden from Bukowiec, the church was reconstructed in Karpacz to serve the local Evangelical community.

The structure of the church refers to Viking boats and was built without the use of nails – from durable Norwegian pine wood. Only about 1/15 of the structure came to Poland from the original building, the rest was recreated based on drawings. During the reconstruction, cloisters and windows in them and in the internal walls were added, as well as a granite tower, which was to protect the church from strong winds.

The original entrance doors, four columns and rich decorations and inscriptions in runic script have survived to this day. The temple is picturesquely situated, and right next to it is an old church cemetery. One of the most famous people buried in this area is the poet Tadeusz Różewicz.

There is only one queen! Śnieżka, rising to a height of 1603 m above sea level, is the highest peak in the Karkonosze Mountains and the entire Sudetes. As in the case of Babia Góra, you can conquer it many times and still feel unsatisfied. Śnieżka lies on the Polish-Czech border, and its summit can be reached from both Poland and the Czech Republic.

If you are wondering which trail is best to climb Śnieżka, I recommend the yellow trail from the Wang Temple to Słonecznik, and then the red one to the Silesian House. From there, it is only a 40-minute walk to the top. This is definitely one of the most interesting and scenic routes. An alternative is the blue trail, which leads from the Wang Temple through the picturesque Samotnia to the Burnt Guardhouse. Then, all you need is a short section of the red trail to the Silesian House and then to Śnieżka.

The easiest and fastest way to reach the top is to use the cable car to Kopa. From there, you can take the black trail to Przełęcz pod Śnieżką, and then – as in the previous variants – the red trail through Dom Śląski to the summit.

Continuing along the Polish-Czech Friendship Path, you will pass the Czech shelter Jelenka and reach Sowia Przełęcz. At this point, you will find a bypass of the blue trail leading to Skalny Stół.

Skalny Stół is the highest peak of the Kowarski Grzbiet, rising to 1,281 m above sea level. Although it is not as popular as Śnieżka, it offers fantastic views and attracts significantly fewer tourists. The peak offers a panorama covering Śnieżka, the eastern Karkonosze, Rudawy Janowickie, the Jelenia Góra Valley and the Kaczawskie Mountains.

The shortest and easiest route to Skalny Stół is the blue trail leading from Przełęcz Okraj. Alternatively, you can set off from Kowary along the yellow trail. On the other hand, from Karpacz to Przełęcz Sowia, there is a black trail, from where you can continue your hike to the summit.

The Municipal Toy Museum in Karpacz is an attraction that will especially appeal to the youngest. It is located in the building of the former railway station, and its exhibition includes over 2,000 exhibits. The collection is based on the collection of Henryk Tomaszewski, the founder of the Wrocław Pantomime. Among the presented objects are toys from different corners of the world, and the dominant part is dolls. The museum also organizes temporary exhibitions, and an additional attraction is the Hall of Railway Tradition.

However, the Toy Museum and Karkonoskie Mysteries are not the only places in Karpacz that can interest children. The youngest can also enjoy two toboggan runs in 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 Karkonosze.