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Krościenko, located near the Dunajec River

  • 3,600 residents
  • Once a spa resort

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Krościenko, located near the Dunajec River, is a small town in the southern part of Poland. It is primarily known as a tourist destination, thanks to its numerous natural attractions: the Dunajec Gorge, its proximity to the Slovakian part of the Pieniny Mountains, and its closeness to mountain peaks. Krościenko is a village that is popular with visitors both in summer and winter; in summer, one can admire the beauty of nature in all its glory, and around the New Year, when the mountain peaks are completely covered in snow, one can indulge in winter activities, such as skiing.

  • Rafting trip

    This refers not so much to the town of Krościenko itself, but to the municipality. We can go rafting through the Dunajec Gorge with experienced guides between April 1st and October 31st. The most popular route runs from Sromowce Niżne to Szczawnica.

  • Is Krościenko a town of significant importance?

    In the Middle Ages, Krościenko was located on the royal route (the so-called Via Regia), which led from Krakow to Buda. Until the mid-20th century, markets were held there every week, and until the second half of the 19th century, fairs were also held in the town, which may indicate the town’s important role in the Pieniny region!

  • Krościenko is the subject of literary works!

    The village appears in folk poetry, written by, among others, Michał Słowik-Dzwon, Helena Wolska, and Krystyna Aleksander.

  • The rich cultural heritage of the municipality

    The municipality of Krościenko nad Dunajec boasts numerous other attractions, including a cable car in Szczawnica that leads to the top of Palenica, as well as castles in Niedzica and Czorsztyn.

Krościenko, located near the Dunajec River

Attractive at any time of year!

History of the town

The founding of Krościenko, as well as other nearby towns, is most often associated with the establishment of a castle in the Pieniny Mountains. The chronicler Jan Długosz mentions Krościenko in 1251 as one of the towns supposedly founded by Princess Kinga, the wife of Bolesław the Chaste. The town itself was officially established under Magdeburg law approximately 100 years after the first mention of it – in 1348, by King Casimir the Great. The beginning of the town’s spa history is considered to be its purchase by the Gross family in the first half of the 19th century. Water from the spa springs was transported to pharmacies and hospitals, among others, in Kraków and Lviv.

Tourism

Many tourist trails run through Krościenko. Thanks to its proximity to the Pieniny and Gorce National Parks, the village has the opportunity to develop. It is home to the branch of the Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society (PTTK) for the Pieniny region, which operates in the municipalities of Krościenko nad Dunajcem, Czorsztyn, and Ochotnica Dolna. The town’s attractions include numerous historical sites, including a Gothic church and wooden houses around the Market Square, as well as mineral springs. A popular activity is rafting through the Pieniny Gorge on the Dunajec River, which began in the 19th century and remains the main attraction for tourists today.

Local culture

The village is home to, among other things, the Museum of the Pieniny National Park, the private “Natural History and More…” exhibition by Tadeusz Oles, the Pieniny Art Gallery of Stanisław Czepiel, and the exhibition of models of the Pieniny landscape, “Pieniny Models,” by Zbigniew Urbański. In addition, numerous events are held in the village in the open-air amphitheater “Pod Wierzbą”: on Midsummer’s Night (“Wianki na Dunajcu”), on the second weekend of July (“Jarmark Krościeński”), in July and August (“Lato Krościeńskie”), on the last weekend of July (“Biesiada nad Dunajcem”), and on the Friday after Corpus Christi (an event celebrating the International Kayak Race on the Dunajec).


Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Jakie źródła wód mineralnych można znaleźć w Krościenku?

    Atrakcje

    1

    W prawobrzeżnej części Krościenka nad Dunajcem znajdują się źródła mineralne, szczawy alkaliczno-sło...

  • Jakie szlaki turystyczne przebiegają przez Krościenko?

    Szlaki

    2

    Są to: żółty prowadzący do Sromowców Niżnych, zielony z Przełęczy Sosnów do Czertezika i czerwony - ...

  • Jakie są najpopularniejsze miejsca parkingowe w Krościenku?

    Parking

    3

    Bezpłatny znajduje się na zbiegu ulic: Polnej, Wojtyły i Jarek - stamtąd bardzo blisko do źródeł wód...

  • W jaki sposób możemy dojechać do wsi?

    Dojazd

    4

    Krościenko połączone jest z Krakowem bezpośrednim połączeniem autobusowym, niestety nie dojeżdża tut...

Story

  • Zdjęcie

    Popular sources of mineral water with health benefits.

    Or, how to take “health” with you in a bottle?

    When talking about Krościenko nad Dunajcem, it’s impossible not to mention the numerous mineral water sources found there. Locals and tourists alike benefit from them daily, and tourists can take some “health” home with them in bottles. It’s certainly worth paying attention to “Stefan” and “Michalina,” which are located on the slopes of Stajkowa Góra. The waters of Krościenko are known for their medicinal properties. They have a beneficial effect on inflammation, septic fever, bleeding, jaundice, pulmonary tuberculosis, nervous disorders, and stomach cramps. There are small taps near the springs, so anyone who wants can take some water for themselves and feel their extraordinary power. However, be careful, as they may not appeal to everyone!

  • Zdjęcie

    PPN Natural History Museum

    A bit of information about the fauna and flora of the region for those who are curious!

    It is located at 107b Jagiellońska Street, and the exhibition is divided into several sections. In the geological section, you can see a collection of rocks found in the Pieniny Mountains, as well as models depicting the characteristic geological cross-sections of the Pieniny. The fauna presented in the museum includes a collection of stuffed animals, and the flora of the Pieniny is depicted by numerous photographs showing individual plant species and their characteristic features. Interested visitors can also watch a short film entitled "Four Seasons in the Pieniny." The museum is open almost all year round, and the opening hours depend on the season; you can check them on the website.

  • Zdjęcie

    The historical monuments of Krościenko,

    Or, a little about architecture and art.

    Although Krościenko does not currently have town rights, its “urban” past is certainly palpable. Therefore, it is worth asking the question: what historical monuments can we find in Krościenko? One of them is certainly the 14th-century church dedicated to All Saints. It is quite small but richly decorated with numerous frescoes, allowing one to feel the presence of many generations of worshippers who prayed here. It is also worth taking a walk along Trzech Koron Street, where many buildings commemorate the history of Krościenko are located. Initially, the street climbs steeply uphill, and in its initial section, we can find the chapel of St. Roch. Further along, there are the manor of the Dziewolski family, which now houses the headquarters of the Krościenko Forest District, and the House of Stanisław Czepiel, behind which is the building of the Pieniny Art Gallery.

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    Mountain hiking

    About hiking trails in Krościenko

    We also have good news for avid mountain hikers: many hiking trails start in Krościenko, leading to the most popular peaks among tourists! The most popular one is the yellow trail, which leads from the market square in Krościenko to Sromowce Niżne. However, it is worth noting that at Przełęcz Szopka, we can turn off it towards Trzy Korony. Another popular trail is the green one, which starts at Przełęcz Sosnów and ends in Czertezik. Przełęcz Sosnów also allows us to reach Sokolica via the blue trail, from which there are beautiful views of the Tatra Mountains and the Dunajec Gorge. However, Krościenko offers more than just mountain trails. Those who enjoy getting around on two wheels can take advantage of the Velo Dunajec cycling route, which starts in Krościenko.

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    Rafting through the Dunajec River Gorge

    The opportunity to admire the mountains from below

    Most tourists visiting Krościenko probably have rafting through the Dunajec River Gorge in mind. The most popular route runs from Sromowce Niżne to Szczawnica and is 11 km long, but it is also possible to reach Krościenko by raft. Rafting on a raft or (for adrenaline enthusiasts) in a kayak provides a great opportunity to admire the mountains – Trzy Korony (Three Crowns) and Sokolica – from a completely different perspective – from below. We will be treated to beautiful views of the rocky, almost vertical cliffs, and the boatmen, known for their great sense of humor, will tell us about the legends and their history. The rafting season lasts from April 1st to October 31st.

accommodation

Peaks and Attractions

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Copy of Górka

A center for culture and religion!

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Church of All Saints

Krościenko | architecture

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Recreational area

Krościenko, near Dębowiec | relaxation

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A mushroom guide for tourists

Viewpoints | Krościenko

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The market square in Krościenko

Market Square | Krościenko

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Velo Dunajec

Cycling route

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Sources of mineral water

Mineral water | Krościenko

Mateusz Bis

Kazimierz Well

Krościenko by the Dunajec River | Source

Mateusz Bis

Stajkowa Mountain

Radziejowa Ridge | 722 m above sea level | Moderate

Explore Region

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Pieniny Mountains

Mountains for enthusiasts

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