Discover Zubrzyk

For planning your trip, it helps to make a clear distinction: Zubrzyk is home to a listed church complex, while the sandstone rocks and Smerczynowa Dziura crevice cave are in the surrounding area. This lets you choose your destination based on a cultural attraction in the village or natural features nearby. The natural sites also differ from one another: Pusta Wielka I and II have different rock formations, while the indistinct, unmarked path also plays a practical role when visiting the cave.

Sandstone rocks in the surrounding area

Pusta Wielka I consists of natural rock steps and small rock ledges amid a natural forest; the area covers about 3 ha. Rock ledges can be understood as small, balcony-like projections of rock. Together with the steps, they define the site as a varied rocky landscape; the area figure adds an approximate size to the description of its formations.

Pusta Wielka II is distinguished by a rocky ridge with rock outcrops and faults as its central landscape feature. Rock outcrops are places where bedrock is exposed at the surface; faults are geological structures formed by breaks and shifts. A ridge is an elongated crest of a rise in the terrain, drawing attention to a continuous landform. The site also has tree cover with characteristics of a natural forest. The two sandstone formations can therefore be distinguished by their shapes: Pusta Wielka I is characterized by steps and small ledges, while Pusta Wielka II is characterized by its ridge and geological structures.

St. Luke’s Church in Zubrzyk

Zubrzyk is home to the former Greek Catholic Church of St. Luke. Today, it serves as a branch church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Its historical connection and present-day function describe different aspects of the same church site: its former church affiliation remains important for understanding its context, while its status as a branch church describes its role today.

The listed complex also includes the cemetery grounds, the surrounding wall, and the trees. The complex therefore extends beyond the church building alone. The relationship between the building and its surroundings is an important part of what makes Zubrzyk culturally distinctive: the cemetery, wall, and trees belong together. Visitors interested in local church and cemetery culture will find a specific point of interest here in the village.

Smerczynowa Dziura and the route

Smerczynowa Dziura crevice cave lies nearby, on the wild southeastern slopes of Wierch Zubrzy. The term “crevice cave” refers to a narrow opening in the rock, distinguishing it from formations such as steps or a ridge. The cave is difficult to find, but quite large: it is 17 m long and 3 m deep. An indistinct, unmarked path leads to it from Zubrzyk in a southwesterly direction. Both the dimensions and the route are therefore important when planning your visit; finding your way is an explicit consideration at this natural site.

Discover more destinations: Zawadka, Świdnik, Podegrodzie, Krynica-Zdrój, Wierchomla Mała, Nowy Sącz, Żegiestów, Białawoda.

Go to the main travel guide: Nowy Sącz.