Zakopane
The Tatras can't be closer
The town at the foot of Mount Giewont has been one of the most popular Summer and Winter leisure resorts for many years, here, there's something for everyone. Lovers of mountain wandering trips are invited down tourist hiking routes of all difficulty levels, while fans of scenery can choose between viewing points such as Krupowa plains, or the peaks of Antałówka or Gubałówka, from which the panorama of the high and western Tatras can be enjoyed. Mountain excursions can be followed by a refreshing trip to Zakopane's Aquapark.
If you prefer concerts, exhibitions and theatre, you won't be disappointed. Not a week goes by without invitations to opening nights at one of the many galleries and studios, or to an interesting piece at the Witkacy Theatre. Once the cultural self has been satisfied, it's worth going to one of the regional taverns and restaurants, to build up strength to spend the next intensive day in Zakopane, a place where you can't be bored!
History
The history of Zakopane goes back some 400 years. However, the beginnings of this place are not exactely known. It appears to have come into being when the seasonal shepherds settlements became transformed into permanent abodes. It is understood that the Settlement prerogative (missing) was issued by King Stefan Batory in 1578. And the name? It appears for the first time in documents in 1605 and most likely it has its origin in the Polish word kopane (zakopane), which once meant the area grubbed up for glade. Zakopane's career as a resort and holiday centre began in the second half of the 19th century. This was after the beauty of Morskie Oko Lake and the charm of Koscieliska Valley, had been discovered by some very well known Poles who had been setting off their trips to Tatra mountains.