Dunajec Dreams and Limestone Legends
Discover 10 secrets and joys of Pieniny that, we bet, you didn't know
Trzy Korony in autumn by Paweł UchorczakPolish Association of Rural Women's Clubs
Tales and trails of the Pieniny
The Pieniny Mountains are a small but stunning mountain range in southern Poland, known for their dramatic limestone cliffs, deep river gorges, and rich cultural heritage.
Nestled along the Dunajec River, they offer a unique blend of natural beauty and living traditions. Let's explore some of them!
Rafting the Dunajec by Paweł UchorczakPolish Association of Rural Women's Clubs
1. One of the oldest rafting tradition still alive
The Dunajec River rafting tradition, dating back to the early 1800s, is considered one of the oldest continuously practiced river rafting traditions in the world. It started with local highlanders (Górale) who used wooden rafts to transport timber and goods through the gorge.
More than a tourist attraction
Today, the tradition lives on with flisacy (raft guides) wearing traditional outfits and navigating handmade rafts through dramatic limestone cliffs and scenic bends. It’s not just a tourist attraction - it's a UNESCO-recognized example of intangible cultural heritage.
Dunajec Castle, also known as Niedzica Castle by Paweł UchorczakPolish Association of Rural Women's Clubs
2. Two castles that stare at each other across a lake
It's a really scenic view! Czorsztyn Castle and Niedzica Castle sit on opposite sides of Lake Czorsztyn, once belonging to rival rulers.
Rumour has it that they would signal to each other with smoke and mirrors - a mediaeval version of diplomatic DMs. Interesting, right?
Niedzica Castle, also known as Dunajec Castle by Paweł UchorczakPolish Association of Rural Women's Clubs
3. The mysteries of Niedzica Castle
One legend says the ghost of the "White Lady" haunts Niedzica Castle - the spirit of a Hungarian noblewoman tragically killed for love.
Niedzica Castle against the backdrop of the Tatra Mountains by Paweł UchorczakPolish Association of Rural Women's Clubs
4. Incan gold and treasure
Another tale tells of a hidden Incan treasure, supposedly brought to the castle by Sebastián Berzeviczy, who married an Incan princess and fled colonial Peru.
Some believe that ancient gold may still be buried somewhere in its walls.
View of the Pieniny from a drone by Paweł UchorczakPolish Association of Rural Women's Clubs
5. Pieniny are older than the Tatras
Despite their gentler appearance, the Pieniny mountains are actually geologically older than the neighboring Tatras. Their limestone formations were shaped during the Jurassic period, over 150 million years ago.
The dramatic limestone cliffs and rock formations are remnants of an ancient tropical sea, full of prehistoric corals, ammonites, and sea creatures — some of whose fossils can still be found in the rocks.
View from Trzy Korony by Paweł UchorczakPolish Association of Rural Women's Clubs
6. Trzy Korony with a view
Despite its modest height (982 m), Trzy Korony offers one of the most dramatic panoramic views in Poland, including the Dunajec Gorge, the Tatra Mountains, and even the Slovak side of the Pieniny.
Just take a look!
View from the Trzy Korony summit by Paweł UchorczakPolish Association of Rural Women's Clubs
7. Trzy Korony was once believed to be home to witches
According to local legend, the jagged peaks of Trzy Korony (Three Crowns) were a meeting point for witches and spirits who controlled the weather and harvests.
On misty mornings, locals say the peaks seem to float above the clouds like a mythical fortress, inspiring countless folk tales and poems.
Sheep on the Wysoki Wierch summit by Paweł UchorczakPolish Association of Rural Women's Clubs
8. Not just adorable grazing animals
In the Pieniny, sheep are not just adorable grazing animals. They're, actually, key to preserving the landscape and biodiversity. The traditional practice of pasturing sheep on mountain meadows (known as hala) prevents forest overgrowth and helps protect rare plant species.
On top of that, it supports the region’s culinary heritage — most famously the smoky, salty oscypek cheese, handmade from sheep’s milk by bacas (highland shepherds) using centuries-old methods.
Seasonal sheep drive (redyk) in Pieniny by Paweł UchorczakPolish Association of Rural Women's Clubs
9. Some of traditional shepherds still use a secret language
Pieniny’s baca (head shepherds) and juhasi (young helpers) in some places still have their own archaic vocabulary - a mix of regional dialects, Goral slang, and sheep-herding code - passed down orally through generations.
Seasonal sheep drive (redyk) in Pieniny by Paweł UchorczakPolish Association of Rural Women's Clubs
10. Life flows here in harmony with nature
Locals often raise sheep in open pastures, tending to them on rolling hills. Shepherding isn't just a livelihood here — it's a way of life that connects people to the rhythms of the land and the seasons.
All the photos were taken in Pieniny by Paweł Uchorczak 📸
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