Szklarska Poręba, known as the ‘Mineralogical Capital’ of Poland, is a winter sports centre in the Sudetes and a site of amazing waterfalls. It is located at the feet of the Szrenica Mountain, in the Jelenia Gora District.
It is here, in the Sudetic ranges of Karkonosze and Izera Mountains, that a number of Walloon prospectors settled in the 12th century in search of iron ore, gold and precious stones, invited by the local dukes of the Piast family. Their valuable discoveries were the beginning of many international fortunes.
The treasures of the Karkonosze Mountains are presented in the local Mineralogical Museum (Muzeum Mineralogiczne), including amethysts, rock crystals, agates and, last but not least, a meteor. You may also visit the Old Walloon Cottage (Stara Chata Walońska) to smell secret herbs and take part in mysterious Walloon rituals.
The Museum of the Earth (Muzeum Ziemi), in turn, exhibits works of artisanry. Right next to in, at the Forest Glassworks, the visitors may observe the production process of various glass trinkets from quartz, such as vases, bowls, swans. No wonder that Szklarska Poręba (literally: ‘glass clearing’) took its name after the Sudetes’ first glassworks founded in the 14th century. Indeed, back then, the value of glass was close to that of gold. The museum in the Hauptmann Brothers villa (Gerhart received the Nobel Prize in literature) exhibits not only memorabilia of the famous writers, but also a beautiful collection of glass-made works.
Precious stones are not the region’s only treasure, though.
One of these is Kamieńczyk, the tallest waterfall in the Sudetes (27 m [86 ft]. In order to see it in its full beauty, you have to rent a safety helmet and descend the bed of the canyon. Another local waterfall, Szklarki (13 m [43 ft]), is equally picturesque. The route to the waterfall, paved and provided with handrails, is also accessible for wheelchairs.
Skiing enthusiasts my enjoy one of the local pistes with a total length of 20 km (12 mi). Difficult ones are called Fis and Lolobrygida (4.5 km [2.8 mi]); the easier ones are called Puchatek and Snieżynka. Since 1976, a mass-start cross-country skiing event Bieg Piastów has been organized each year in March, with a couple thousand participants from all over Poland. Also in March, a sled dog racing event of international renown is organized here.
A must-see for all those with a taste for adrenaline is the Extreme Sports Centre at Krucze Rock (Krucze Skały). Supervised by an instructor, visitors may try their hand at rope climbing, vertical slide or paintball games. A rope park is also available at the municipal park in the central part of Szklarska Poręba.
www.szklarskaporeba.pl /English, Deutsch/
