Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Jaszczurówka in Zakopane

In Zakopane we will find many tourist attractions , which we absolutely must see during the summer or winter vacation in this city . One of them is certainly Jaszczurówka Chapel , located on an archaic malopolska trail of wooden architecture , a unique monument frequented by visitors from all over the country. It is worth planning to visit it, as well as other attractions in various parts of Zakopane, and Giewont , of the whole Tatra National Park , Kasprowy Wierch or Black Pond below Rysy .

Where is the Chapel at Jaszczurówka located?

Name Jaszczurówka does not apply to the Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus itself, means a part of Zakopane located on Oswald Balzer road , which can be reached, among other things, to Bald Glade i Sea Eye . History of the development of Jaszczurówka dates back to the 19th century, when thermal springs were discovered here , and the discovery of the thermal waters itself was made by the famous Polish geologist Ludwik Zejszner.

This part of Zakopane takes its name from the of spotted salamander lizards found in the area , which is why the Center for the Active Protection of Amphibians and Reptiles was established here. At the same time, this is one of the places in the Tatra Mountains where we can see cieplice , namely the aforementioned natural hot springs , which 1893 was used, among others, by Henryk Sienkiewicz. Jaszczurówka is part of Zakopane , so you can easily get here by car and public transport, there is also a signposted route leading to it green hiking trail , leading, among other things, to Olczyska Valley and on Olczyska Polana .

What is the history of the thermal bath, or thermal springs in Jaszczurówka?

We already know who made the discovery of the warm springs in Jaszczurówka, a in the second half of the 19th century took an interest in them well-known Cracow chemist Adolf Aleksandrowicz , which carried out chemical analysis of thermal waters commissioned by the Cracow Balneological and confirmed its medicinal properties . Thus, a bathing basin and the first swimming pool for patients were established here, which was built in 1861-1862 by the owner of the site, Count Adam Uzenski.

Due to the huge interest, another was built in Jaszczurówka three bathing basins and a swimming pool , it was also decided to build spa and bathing establishment, and the spa prospered until the outbreak of World War II . Unfortunately, in 1957, drilling operations were carried out at the site, which led to a connection of the thermal springs with the waters of Olczyski Potok and the water temperature dropped significantly and the resort has not regained its former glory.

What will we see in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Jaszczurówka in Zakopane?

The most important tourist attraction at Jaszczurówka is currently historic wooden Chapel , the construction of which began in 1904 designed by Stanislaw Witkiewicz . It is cared for by the Marian priests of Toporowa Cyrhla and is worth a visit to see the perfectly preserved interior furnishings.

The chapel was built of wooden logs, in the Zakopane style, it was set on a solid raised stone foundation . Inside there is a beautiful main altar resembling a highland cottage, and two side altars , which was made in 1954 by local folk artist Jozef Janos. Also noteworthy are stained glass windows by Stanislaw Witkiewicz , depicting, among other things, Our Lady of the Dawn Gate.

In Zakopane and its surroundings it is also worth seeing other architectural monuments , including sacred, Church in Harenda i Holy Family Church. We also got to visit Museum of Zakopane Style , a branch of the Tatra Museum, or the Museum of Jan Kasprowicz and Karol Szymanowski Museum . It is also worth taking care of beforehand accommodation in Zakopane , and rooms are available in private quarters , hotels andpensions in the center of ZakopaneAs well as comfortable cottages and apartments in Zakopane .