Holidays in Pieniny is widely popular leisure opportunity in Slovakia. And it's not by accident. The first international nature park in Europe was established in 1932, just in the Pieniny territory, stretching around the Polish- Slovak border. This region, which is relatively well preserved in its original condition, was declared in 1967 on the Slovak side the national park PIENAP. Pieniny are located in the northwest of eastern Slovakia.
The mountains here are formed by rock area with an extraordinary concentration of natural beauty. Mountain area in this region contrasts with the flow of Dunajec in the valley, which forms the state border at the same time. Dunajec created here a remarkable 9 km long canyon - so called Dunajec gap. Dunajec currently offers the possibility of rafting along its meanders, where ferocity of the flow and peaceful abyss, full of fish alternates.
Depth of the canyon is up to 500 m and it is really impressive natural formation, although the Pieniny Mountains are not too high itself. The highest point is Repisko - 1253 m.n.m. Other major peaks include Tri Koruny, Vysoké skalky a Haligovské skaly rocks. Impressive is also the Lesnický potok stream breakthrough, which is approximately 300 m high gorge. The attractions further include Cave Aksamitka and Jazerské lake.
Pieniny are typical by maintaining folk traditions of the Gorals, which is the name of the local population, with a characteristic culture. The nearby country is made up of a combination of idyllic villages and terraced fields surrounded by forests.
The most famous tourist center is the Červený Kláštor - with its old monastery building. Furthermore Vyšné Ružbachy with mineral springs, villages Lesnica, Osturňa or the town Spišská Stará Ves. Plan a vacation to the Pieniny region and discover the magic of the Flying Monk Cyprián.
Holidays in Pieniny and places to visit
Dunajec
Dominant river and tourist attractions around the area of Pieniny is Dunajec, which between rock walls molded picturesque canyon and also forms the northern border of the national park and is a popular venue for rafting. In addition the gorge is territory interwoven with a network of small and large streams and small rivers, the most important in the national park are: Lipník and Lesnický potok and in the reservation zone: Rieka, Šoltýsa, Lesniansky, Osturnianksy and Frankovský streams.
Czorsztyne
Polish castle ruins on Castle Hill (589 m) above the left bank of the Dunajec near a dam Jezioro Czorsztyńskie.
Comes from the time after the Mongol invasion. It eas the seat of Polish mayors and it functioned as border fort as a counterweight to Hungarian Niedzica. He used to be a frequent place of fighting, resistance and rebellion. In 1598 it was captured by O. Laski. At the time of the peasant uprising in 1651 the rebels under leadership of Stanislav Kostka, Barsk Confederates in 1768, who after the defeat and disrupt of their efforts on the revival of Poland moved to Northern Slovakia. Now the castle is a state historic landmark. From the ruins is a nice view.
Lesnický potok stream
Less than 6 km long stream, that has quite a lot of water that it collects in the valley between the massif of Plašná and the ridge of Malé Pieniny, where is situated the only village - Lesnica. The stream has a large drop 45 m/km, and on its way to Dunajec it cut through the limestone cliff a romantic breakthrough, forming the wall of Vylízaná on the right and Osobitá rock on the left side of the mouth.
Breakthrough of Lesnický potok stream is an area of 30 ha protected as a natural monument. It has the character of landscape and geomorphological aesthetically impressive natural objedct with occurrence of rare plants.
Tri Koruny peak
The highest (982 m) and the most interesting peak in Pieniny lying in the Polish part of it, above the left bank of Dunajec breakthrough. You should not miss it during your holiday in Slovakia.
On its south side five pinnacles, which walls are around 100 m high, form a crown. From the highest towers round (Okraglica) is a terrific view into the Dunajec canyon drop-offs.
On top is a viewing gallery for 15 people. High interest to visit this place allows you to stay only 10 minutes over here. On the northern slope of the peak is located in the middle of the forest nice meadow of Pieniny, from which is also a nice view of the surrounding region.
Rabštín
Limestone peak on the crest of the Malé Pieniny ( 45 meters above sea level, known as Havrania skala) resembling the silhouette of castle ruins.
Steep slopes are overgrown with fir forest and shrubs, which make it difficult climb to the top. The ascent is easiest from the southeast of Wysoki Wierch to the west inclined about 50 m high rock wall. From the top of it is a very nice view of the Pieniny, Levočské vrchy and High Tatras mountains.
By 1914 there were recorded nesting of griffon (likely origin of the name Havrania skala - Raven Rock).
According to rumors in the Outlaw cave under Rabštín are hidden treasures of bandits who attacked passengers on a major trade route to the Červený Kláštor Monastery.
Haligovské rocks
Protected natural monument in the territory of Pieniny National Park. It represents a complex of limestone cliffs and scree with rare flora and fauna. In its rocky relief - mainly on the southern and outh-western slopes are located bizarre rocky towers, rocks (Biela, Červená, Sovia, Končistá, Hribá), gorges and waterless karst valleys (Široká, Hlboká).
In the rocks are located a number of passages, caves and cavities. The most famous cave is Aksamitka in Červená Skala, Brestová diera near Biela skala and about 30 meters long Zbojnícka Cave under Hribá Skala, which can be found under 5 m high rocky window called Zbojnícka brána gate. Smaller cavities and caves are remnants of larger underground space that were blocked. Caves were known to the local population already in the early Middle Ages.
Jezerské lake
Small lake (919 m above sea level, 0,5 ha) under the steep northern slope of Spišská Magura. It is a protected national monument and is located in a complex of spruce forests, to the southeast of the village Jezersko.
The lake was created after a landslide of rocks in older Quaternary. The probable path of the landslide can be inferred from the depression of about 100 m above the lake from the dam that formed underneath.
Jezerské lake collects water from the surrounding slopes, but most water comes from underground streams. Its level fluctuates to within two meters. Outfall from the lake is called Jezerský potok stream.
This area is as well important geomorphological location, where rare species of moss occur.
Červený Kláštor monastery
Village of Červený Kláštor in Pieniny is a classic holiday destination in Slovakia. It is located on the right bank of Dunajec, at the mouth of Lipník stream. The village was formed from settlements Nižné Švíby, Červený Kláštor and Smerdžonka.
Historical sources, such as document Carthusian monastery from 1344, support the reasonable belief that in the location of the present monastery in St. Anton valley stand in the 11th century a hermitage.
The monastery, which is a popular destination for trips, estahblished Master Kokoš of Brezovica, which in the judgment of the Arbitration Tribunal of 1307 was required for killing of Frederick from Hrhov to establish six monasteries. Monastery as early as 14 century received many grants and privileges (right to mill, fishing, brewing rights) Other possessions it gained buying, marketing and quickly prospered and became a feudal estate.
After the abolition of the monastery settlers refused to cultivate large tracts of land,an thus in the years 1786 to 1788 settlers from Germany were invited to take care of this work. By allocating the monastic property arose several municipalities in Zamagurie area.