Krościenko nad Dunajcem

Views of the city of Krościenko, the river Dunajec and the mountains that surround the city. – Photo by: Robsuper, Kroscienko IMG 0010, CC BY-SA 3.0

Distance

44 km SV, 15 km SV, 112 km NV, 45 km NE, 31 km V, 52 km E, 4 km, 52 km SV

Population

3.521 (2003)

Location and history

The municipality of Krościenko is located in the southeastern region of the Małopolska region, in the district of Nowy Targ. To the east the municipality borders the town of Szczawnica, to the south and west to the municipality of Czorsztyn. The town is located in a picturesque mountain valley at an altitude of approx. 420-500 masl between the mountain ranges: Pieniny, Gorce and Beskid Sądecki at the point where the Krośniczanka mountain stream flows into the Dunajec river.

In 1348, the city was granted commercial property rights by Kazimierz the Great. From that time, the current street course and square in the center of the small town originate. From the 16th to the 18th century. the royal city flourished thanks to markets, trade and crafts. The beginning of the 18th century. was characterized by a standstill and decline of the city. Krościenko shared fate with many other Polish cities experiencing wartime and the wildfires and illnesses that accompanied the wars. Especially an epidemic in the second half of the 17th century. was destitute of fate, with the immediate effect of depopulation of the city. Krościenko also suffered during the fighting with the Cossacks. The business world was destroyed by frequent army marches and plague epidemics.
In the first half of the 19th century. the city's owners, the Gross family, tried to create a health resort here, taking advantage of the well-known, tasteful and healing properties of the water from the nearby springs. However, the limited amount of spring water at the site as well as the short distance to Szczawnica with its mineral water sources meant that a development of Krościenko to the spa was not possible. Only in the 20th century. the town became important as a resort.
In 1932, the administrative seat of Pieniny National Park is established here.
During the Second World War, from the first days of the war, the local mountain population resisted the forces of Hitler. From here, courier trails led through the mountains to Hungary.

A widespread occupation among the inhabitants of Krościenko is logging. For many generations, timber and other goods have been transported on timber rafts along Dunajec and Wisła right up to Gdańsk. This profession was certainly neither easy nor safe. The flooding of wood from Pieniny was limited by the establishment of the Pieniny National Park and the construction of dams at Rożnów and Czchów (north of Nowy Sącz) made the flooding further north. However, local timber rafting traditions led to the start of making money by sailing vacationers on timber rafts along Dunajec, where the river picturesque paves its way in a rift between steep cliffs.

An important element of the municipality's natural environment is the mineral water sources in Zawodzie, ie. at Dunajec’s right bank; the sources bear the names Stefan, Michalina and Maria and the water is actively healing from respiratory, lung and digestive disorders.

Tourist attractions

Square
with the old and preserved building structure thus houses from the 19th century. in the southern part.

Ul.Zdrojowa
In ul.Zdrojowa (on the other side of Dunajec), several older buildings of a holiday home character have been preserved.

Kapeller:
Interestingly, the chapels are built for “aversion to the plague” St. Roch Chapel (from 1710) at ul. Zdrojowa and St. Kinga Chapel at ul. Św.Kingi (built in 1860).

All Saints' Church ,
a walled church with Gothic elements preserved despite several redevelopments. In the church there are old murals; the oldest ones that can be seen in the choir date from the 14th and 15th centuries. On the north wall of the church ship is a 1589 painting depicting the life of Christ. Other valuable items include the baptismal font with the eagle symbol and the year 1493 – a gift from King Jan Olbracht, sculptures by saints Peter and Paul from the 18th century, a picture of the mother of God with the child at the main altar.

Raft Sailing:
Here in Krościenko, the terminus for sailing on a raft of rivers along the Dunajec intersection (Przełom Dunajca), is the gorge through which the river flows. The length of the route from Sromowce-Kąty is approx. 23 km and the sailing time is approx. 2 hours 45 min.

Bicycle tourism / Bicycle paths:
Follow. cycle paths are based on Krościenko:
1. Krościenko -1 h. – Tylmanowa – 1 h. 45 min. – Ochotnica Dln. – 50 min. – Ochotnica Górna
2. Krościenko – 30 min. – Szczawnica – 1 h. – Szlachtowa – 45 min. – Jaworki – 1 h 45 min. – Biała Woda
3. Krościenko – 45 min. – Scratch – 30 min. – Szczawnica
4. Krościenko – 30 min. – Szczawnica – 1 h 15 min. – Sewerynówka
5. Krościenko – 1 h 30 min. – Dzwonkówka – 3 h. – Przechyba – 1 h. 30 min. – Radziejowa – 2 t. – Jaworki
6. Krościenko – 45 min. – Dziadowe Kąty – 30 min. – Grywałd
7. Krościenko – 1 t. – Krośnica – 1 t. – Czorsztyn – 40 min.
8. Krościenko – 1 t. – Krośnica – 1 t. – The border – 1 t. – Czerwony Klasztor
9. Krościenko – 1 h. – Krośnica – 1 h. 45 min. – Sromowce Niżne
10. Krościenko – 4 h. – Grywałd – 1 h. – Haluszowa – 1 h. 30 min. – Niedzica
11. Krościenko – 4 h. – Lubań – 1 h. 45 min. – Ochotnica Dln.
12. Krościenko – 4 t. – Lubań – 1 t. – Krośnica
13. Krościenko – 1 t. – Niwki – 20 min. – Dziadowe Kąty

Surrounding Area

The Pieniny Mountains and the Spisz region
Pieniny National Park

Accommodation

Booking.com
Krościenko. Serwis internetowy – with practical information for tourists, including accommodation in this city, preferably in the form of private room rental
Krościenko

Other Internet sites and sources

Krościenko. Serwis internetowy (Town official page)
Krościenko

The district:
Powiat Nowotarski

Translated into English by Google Translate. Spangshus.dk accept no liability for any errors or omissions in translation.

Bike tourism

Biking trails

Chapels

churches

National parks

Rafting

Rivers