Grant Map EU

Zakopane is the second, next to Kraków, most popular tourist destination in Małopolska — as many as 31 per cent of visitors to this region also come to Zakopane. Apart from the enthusiasts of skiing and mountain climbing, one of the major groups of tourists is comprised of families. And they, so far, have not been offered anything interesting by the capital of the Tatra Mountains. Zakopane lacked, above all, well- organised playgrounds and green areas, adjusted to the needs of various age groups. This was to be changed by the revitalisation of the uncared-for municipal park and the adjacent square — an attractive area situated in the vicinity of the Krupówki Street.

The town announced a Poland-wide competition for the compilation of the urban, architectural and spatial concept, and 21 entries from all over Poland were submitted. The winner was entrusted with the task of preparing the design documentation and supervising its implementation. The works covered an area of 28,000 m2, out of which 5,800 m2 are occupied by the Independence Square (Plac Niepodległości), and the rest constitutes the park, which is divided into five zones. In the active leisure zone, one will find tennis courts for adults and mini-courts for children, a multi-functional playing field, two playgrounds and a special skating area (a skating bowl). A rocky mountain stream, on the other hand, is the main attraction in the relaxation zone. In the renovated park there is also a culture zone. The amphitheatre is the venue for the cyclical event “I was seeking you” , organised in May; and the display cabinets, adjusted to the needs of outdoor exhibitions, have already been used for the organisation of various exhibitions, for example, “Zakopane in the times of PRL (Polish People’s Republic)”. The historic villa, on the other hand, built in 1900 in the Zakopane style, which currently houses the Tatra Mountains Culture and Sports Centre “Jutrzenka”, has gained a new charm. Moreover, the town managed to gain space sufficient to properly hold state and local celebrations. This is a representative zone with a square next to the Grunwald Monument. And finally, the last part — the natural system protection zone, where in the mini-rockery one can admire alpine plants.

Still, a year ago the Independence Square functioned as a car park. Today, the reconstructed field changes into a market place twice a year, just before Easter and Christmas. It is a return to the old-time tradition of the Zakopane Market.

Thanks to the great attention paid to the workmanship of every detail, Zakopane gained public space representing a European level, as wise investments make the town not only more attractive to tourists, but also more friendly to its inhabitants.