"Zakopane" Zakopane by ania70pl

Zakopane Travel Guide: 393 reviews and 781 photos

Zakopane, the capital city of Polish Tatra Mountains. It's the highest placed city in Poland'
Zakopane has existed for about 400 years. It originated as an agricultural and shepherding settlement on the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. According to a popular legend, the first person to arrive here was a man called Gasienica, whose first name remains unknown. His sons, Pawe³ and Jedrzej built a mill in the place. For several decades the settlement had been a village "at the back of beyond".
Zakopane started to be a famous place in the 19th century. The place achieved widespread fame as a health resort and a tourist town with distinguishing therapeutic features. In 1945, a parish was established in the town, followed two years later by the arrival of one of the legendary personages of Zakopane - the vicar Jozef Stolarczyk. He was the man who has convinced the Tatra mountaineers that they should rent out their rooms to holidaymakers. Only later the inhabitants of Zakopane started building rest houses exclusively for the needs of tourism.
In 1886 the town was given the rank of the climatic station. The status of the town was assigned to Zakopane in 1935.
During the II World War Zakopane was a relaxation and convalescence place for German soldiers and it was a closed zone.

For more infos about Tatra Mountains visit my Tatrzanski Park Narodowy page.

Last visit to Zakopane: Jan 2001
Intro Updated Aug 11, 2003
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Reviews (18)

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Comments (36)

Mailo Apr 18, 2007 at 9:36 PM Report Abuse

Very nice architecture, must be a nice place to stay.
vesna04 Oct 9, 2005 at 7:51 AM Report Abuse

Go Malish ! I wish him a good season 2006.
zizu Mar 31, 2005 at 6:06 AM Report Abuse

Ania, Zakopane seems fantastic! I wish go there this year. Prawy do lewego
Ben-UK Mar 22, 2005 at 12:35 PM Report Abuse

Spending a few days in this area next month -- great photos.
tpal Jan 2, 2005 at 8:08 AM Report Abuse

Hello Ania, I loved Zakopane! I was definitely one of the "no-hikers" but still found plenty to do. I thought the architecture was wonderful. You have great winter photos. Thanks for the great page...Tom
Goner Apr 25, 2004 at 8:53 PM Report Abuse

The Tatra Mountians are beautiful & the log cabins have such a distinctive style. Thanks for the great info.
salinhopt Mar 1, 2004 at 3:32 AM Report Abuse

Great page Ania! Maybe you should add some information so i could rate more of your information. The pictures are so beautifull. Great place to visit! :)
Sharrie Feb 24, 2004 at 2:44 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for the tips! Very helpful for trip planning!
tiganeasca Feb 6, 2004 at 5:17 AM Report Abuse

The problem with your pages is that I keep finding new places in Poland that I have to visit! ;-) Thanks for sharing your pictures and tips on what looks like a wonderful place--one that I will have to visit soon!
sim1 Feb 3, 2004 at 7:34 AM Report Abuse

Great page about Zakopane! Beautiful winter landscapes!