Zakopane is a flourishing winter sports centre at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. Its commonly called The winter capital of Poland. However until the 19th century Zakopane was only a tiny village. It does not appear in history until the 17th century. However during the 19th century Zakopane grew larger and the Old Church, a wooden church was built in 1851.
Zakopane really started to grow in the late 19th century. Because of its hight altitude people came to Zakopane to breath the fresh mountain air for their health. (Zakopane is the highest town in Poland). It was promoted by Dr Tytus Chalubinski (1820-1889). The Tatra Museum opened in 1889. In 1899 the railway reached Zakopane making it easier for visitors to reach. As a result Zakopane grew rapidly.
In the early 20th century Zakopane became a fashionable place for artists and intellectuals. Zakopane became a vibrant town.
Meanwhile 1918 when Poland became independent again Zakopane became an important skiing resort. Furthermore in 1930 the great composer Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937) went to live in a house called Villa Atma in Zakopane. Willa Atma became a museum in 1976. The great writer Kornel Makuszynski (1884–1953) was frequent visitor to Zakopane. When he died he was buried in the town.
Another famous inhabitant of Zakopane was the artist Stanislaw Witkiewicz (1851-1915), who was known as Wicktaky. He was also an architect and created a style of architecture called the Zakopane style. The first building in the style was the Willa Koliba in 1893. Witkiewicz also designed Willa Jedlami, which was built in 1897.
A cable car to Mount Kasprowy Wierch was built in 1936. Gubalowka Hill Funicular was built in 1938 and by 1939 Zakopane was a town of 20,000 people. The Festival of Highland Folklore was first held in Zakopane in 1965 and has been held there every summer since.
In the late 20th century Zakopane continued to thrive. The Witkacy Theatre was founded in 1984. The Wladyslaw Hasior Gallery opened in 1984. (Wladyslaw Hasior (1928 –1999) was a famous Polish artist. He is buried in Zakopane). The Museum of the Zakopane Style opened in 1993 in the Koliba Villa. Meanwhile The Museum of the Tatras National Park opened in 1957.
Today Zakopane has a population of about 28,000. Despite its small size its very popular with tourists and gets about 2 million visitors a year.
Very interesting. I love being able to learn some more about this charming little town. I look forward to reading more about your travels. I have a friend who lives in the area, so I will share your blog with her as she also loves to travel and learn about new places. Thank you for the follow and powodzenia.
Wow,thank you very much
I love these villas and houses! What a fantastic art work!
Thank you so much for showing.
dziękuję serdecznie!
Namaste…thank for visiting and following my blog 🙂 I look forward to watching your great blog too…
Thank you ,I will visit your blog often .Jacek
Great and interesting photos… the architecture is definitely fascinating!
Thank you
Thank you so much for following snappy~speak here AND on Facebook, Jacek! I’m very flattered.
Happy Travels!
~Christy
Thank you
Some of those buildings are amazing, like wooden castles! They look like they would be wonderful cosy places to hole up during the winter. Have you been there? How did you find out about it?
(ps thank you for visiting and following my blog!)
ah forgive me, I’ve just found the about section of your blog and read that you were born in this beautiful city! (So that answers both my questions!)
Thanks
Thank you
We have used the inspiration of Zakopane Style to create our own little Vorwerk in the high Sierras of California. Hope you will look… http://www.flickr.com/photos/zakopaneinthesierras/
We have been inspired by the beautiful architectural lines of the Zakopane Style and have built our own little Vorwerk or Izba in the high Sierras of California. Hope you will look:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zakopaneinthesierras/