Stary Sącz Today

A short walk through the historic heart of the town – from the Market Square, past the parish church, to the convent of St Kinga. Everything within a few steps, no car needed.

1. Market Square Begin at the Market Square: walk round it, pause by the well and look closely at the cobbles of Dunajec stone. While you are there, call in at the tourist information office at number 5.
2. “House on the Hollows” Regional Museum A few steps further on, at Rynek 6, stands the House on the Hollows – the only brick-built house to survive the great fire of 1795. If the museum is open, half an hour is enough for a quick look.
3. Church of St Elizabeth of Hungary – the parish church From the Market Square go down to St Elizabeth’s Church on ul. Mickiewicza. Note the tower and, if the church is open, the historic organ.
4. Székely Gate Cross to St Kinga Square and stop before the carved Székely Gate – a gift from Hungarian highlanders in 1999 and a token of Polish–Hungarian friendship.
5. Convent of the Poor Clares and Holy Trinity Church Beyond the gate await the Poor Clares’ convent and the Church of the Holy Trinity, founded by Kinga in 1280. Go in quietly, outside service times, and seek out the saint’s chapel.
6. Finally, return to the Market Square for a coffee or something sweet – the best place to plan your next, longer visit.

✦ If you have a quarter of an hour to spare, walk down from the convent to St Kinga’s Spring in Podmajerz – a peaceful nook with an 18th-century wayside chapel.

In the morning the monuments of the old town, after lunch the forest and the views from Miejska Góra. Times are approximate – adjust them to your own pace.

1. Market Square About 9.00: the Market Square in the morning, as the town is only just waking. Pick up a map from the tourist information office and ask about the opening hours of the museum and churches.
2. “House on the Hollows” Regional Museum The Regional Museum in the House on the Hollows tells of the crafts, guilds and culture of the Sącz Lachy. Allow about an hour for it, if it is open.
3. The Synagogue – from the outside A few steps from the Market Square, on ul. Staszica, stands the former synagogue – a trace of the town’s Jewish community. View the building from outside.
4. Church of St Elizabeth of Hungary – the parish church St Elizabeth’s Church dates back to the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries. Look inside if no service is taking place.
5. Székely Gate On St Kinga Square pass through the Székely Gate with its inscription “Peace to those who enter, blessing to those who leave”.
6. Convent of the Poor Clares and Holy Trinity Church About 11.30: the Poor Clares’ convent, the heart of old Sącz. Respect the silence and the sisters’ enclosure – visitors see the church, not the convent.
7. St Kinga’s Spring and Shrine From the convent go down to St Kinga’s Spring in Podmajerz, where, legend has it, water gushed forth at the saint’s command.
8. About 13.00: a lunch break in the centre – around the Market Square and in the nearby streets there is plenty of choice.
9. Papal Altar, “Opoka” and St Kinga’s Gardens After lunch walk or drive to the Papal Altar on ul. Papieska, where on 16 June 1999 John Paul II canonised Kinga.
10. Miejska Góra About 15.00: set off for the wooded Miejska Góra, which towers over the town from the west. The climb takes a little effort – comfortable shoes will come in handy.
11. Forest Pier (Leśne Molo) Along the Forest Pier, a wooden boardwalk among the trees, you will reach a platform with a view over Stary Sącz and the Sącz Basin.
12. Orbisfera To end the day, Orbisfera: stations for movement, the senses and observing the forest. Take your time – this is about play, not pace.

✦ If you prefer water and birds to woodland, swap the afternoon on Miejska Góra for a gentle stroll by the Stawy ponds and along the boardwalks of Bobrowisko.

The first day for the history of the old town, the second for remembrance, rivers and forest. Such a rhythm lets you truly feel Stary Sącz, rather than ticking off one sight after another.

1. Market Square Begin the first day at the Market Square and the tourist information office. Walk round the square and peer into the lanes that run off from its corners.
2. “House on the Hollows” Regional Museum In the House on the Hollows you will meet the townsfolk of old – their crafts, their daily life and their household shrines. Set aside about an hour for the museum.
3. Church of St Elizabeth of Hungary – the parish church From the Market Square go down to St Elizabeth’s Church, the town’s oldest parish, and listen whether the organ happens to be playing.
4. The Synagogue – from the outside Return towards the Market Square along ul. Staszica to see the building of the former synagogue.
5. The “Sokół” Building and the Ada Sari Cultural Centre Stroll to ul. Batorego and the “Sokół” building – once the home of the gymnasts, today a cinema and festival stage.
6. Lunch in the centre and a moment’s rest.
7. Székely Gate In the afternoon pass through the Székely Gate onto St Kinga Square.
8. Convent of the Poor Clares and Holy Trinity Church See the Poor Clares’ convent and the Church of the Holy Trinity at leisure, outside service times; seek out St Kinga’s chapel.
9. St Kinga’s Spring and Shrine Go down to St Kinga’s Spring in Podmajerz – a short, quiet stop.
10. Papal Altar, “Opoka” and St Kinga’s Gardens From here it is not far to the Papal Altar and St Kinga’s Gardens by the “Opoka” Centre.
11. The Old Cemetery and St Roch’s Church Towards evening visit the Church of St Roch and St Sebastian, surrounded by the old cemetery of 1783. Keep quiet and do not step on the graves.
12. War Cemetery No. 348 In the municipal cemetery on ul. Węgierska, seek out war cemetery section no. 348 from 1915, designed by Gustav Ludwig.
13. Day two: start gently and leave the car in the car park – today you will mostly be walking or cycling.
14. The Grave and Memorial at Piaski In the morning walk to the forest by the Poprad, to the mass grave and memorial at Piaski, where on 17 August 1942 the Germans murdered the Jews of Stary Sącz. This is a place of remembrance – come in silence.
15. St Kinga’s Bridge and VeloDunajec / the Poprad valley Look out over the Poprad and the suspension bridge of St Kinga – a symbol of the new Stary Sącz, which since 2008 has taken traffic out of the centre.
16. Stawy – bathing area and recreation grounds Walk or drive to the Stawy ponds: a bathing area in season, and a pleasant spot for a stroll out of season. Here you can also hire a bike.
17. Bobrowisko Next door lies Bobrowisko, in the fork of the Dunajec and the Poprad. Walk the boardwalks, sit in the bird hide and watch for birds – leave your bike at the entrance.
18. Lunch or a late lunch – near the Stawy ponds or back in the centre.
19. Miejska Góra In the afternoon climb Miejska Góra, the wooded hill above the town.
20. Forest Pier (Leśne Molo) The Forest Pier leads you to a platform with a view over Stary Sącz and the Sącz Basin.
21. Orbisfera Finish at Orbisfera – its stations for play and discovering the forest will delight children and adults alike.
22. The “Snail” at Wola Krogulecka If you have a car and the day is clear, drive out for the sunset to the Ślimak (“Snail”) viewpoint in Wola Krogulecka, with its panorama of the Poprad valley.

✦ If you would like to see more churches, add the Church of Divine Mercy on the first day – just check beforehand when it is open.