Things to see and do Szczawnica

Built in 1325, this Gothic castle faces Czorsztyn Castle. The interiors are of little interest, but from the upper terrace there's a superb view of the Pieniny National Park, the man-made lake and its dam, and the ruins of Czorsztyn Castle. At the entrance to Niedzica Castle, a sign warns of the danger of ghosts... This medieval castle was used as a set for the filming of The Witcher series.

One of the best examples of church architecture in southern Poland, where Roman Catholic architecture meets the Slavic Orthodox church, richly decorated inside. The church's mural painting is priceless: a 15th century Gothic-Renaissance polychrome in 33 colors with 77 different designs, including Persian and Chinese. The church is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

The architectural gem that was the Dworek Gościnny at the time of its creation in 1884 is shining again. Destroyed in a fire in 1962, the Thermaleo Group rebuilt it on its original foundation. The exterior is a work of respect for the quality of the architecture and craftsmanship of yesteryear, rebuilt from the memories of the locals: there were no photos that existed of the interior.

To know: in the evening, the Jazz Bar at Dworek Gościnny is an unusual place to listen to live music and enjoy a good whiskey.

Web site in English. The information is a bit short, but on the spot things are organized easily thanks to the professionalism of the team in place.

Here's a handy address to remember before arriving in Szczawnica! The tourist information office for the Pieniny mountains (Pienińskie Centrum Turystyki) offers documentation to help you prepare your hikes, sports outings and excursions into the beautiful surrounding countryside. The office also provides information for visiting spa guests and can organize well-thought-out coach tours, guided tours..

It is a historical and ethnographic museum, which tells the story of the life of the Pieniny Highlanders in the early 20th century, which has always been at the border of cultures, religions and nationalities. The cultural heritage is closely linked to the natural heritage of the Pieniny region. We get to know the inhabitants of the Pieniny villages through different themes: their common pastoral economy, a common architecture and folk art and costumes.

The waters of Szczawnica have been known for their medicinal properties for 200 years. The Szczawnica Water Gallery, thanks to a successful cooperation with the Pieniny Museum, has also become a meeting place. Promoting the unique traditions and history of the region, it is also a place for cultural and historical education. Venture for the blind test: taste the 8 natural varieties of water and try to guess their compositions!

Originally a small wooden fortress that tradition associates with a valiant Polish crusader knight, its stone version dates back to a project by Casimir the Great (again and again) in the 13th century. Seat of several conflicts, it took part in many fights before falling into ruin after a fire in 1790. Still undergoing rehabilitation and open to the public since 1996, the castle is open to the public. The visit is worthwhile especially for the magnificent panorama which offers a view on the lake below as well as on the Tatras and the Pieniny.