Czorsztyn Settlement

On the Stylchyn Peninsula, in the very heart of picturesque Podhale, there lies a unique place that could have become the tourist showcase of the region. The Czorsztyn settlement, formerly known as the Czorsztyn Tourist Settlement, is a complex of an open-air museum and tourist site consisting of 31 historic buildings that were relocated from the former Maniów, Kluszkowiec, and Czorsztyn to save them from being submerged by the waters of the newly created Czorsztyn Lake. Today, instead of bustling with life, the settlement remains suspended – neglected, abandoned, but still fascinating with its history and unique character. 

Spanning an area of approximately 17 hectares, the complex includes former guesthouses and villas, as well as peasant cottages and unique stone cellars. It has been divided into two sections: 

• The open-air museum sector – featuring cottages and agricultural buildings, which house, among other things, a regional museum with original furnishings from over 100 years ago. 

• The tourist sector – with former villas and guesthouses that were intended to serve as accommodation and dining bases. 

Among the most interesting buildings are the villa of Teofil Sanok, the former restaurant "Pieniny" of Leopold Szperling, and the Drohojowski Manor, which served as a conference center. Today, the Czorsztyn settlement, instead of being a tourist gem, resembles an abandoned town. The wooden buildings are deteriorating, grass is overgrowing around, and a place that could have been vibrant now frightens with its emptiness. 

If you are interested in the mysteries of the Czorsztyn settlement, it's worth reaching for the book "Osada" by Anna Olszewska. It is a crime novel in which the discovery of a body in the tourist settlement triggers a cascade of events. The new resident, Igor Schutt, tries to unravel the murder mystery, which turns out to be linked to a fire from years ago and unsettling discoveries. Local stories, past secrets, and the unique atmosphere of the place flow in the background. 

Will the Czorsztyn settlement see better times? Will it once again become a tourist attraction, as originally planned? Time will tell. One thing is certain – it is a place with a soul that is worth visiting before it disappears for good. The fate of this place is still tied to the waters of Czorsztyn Lake. Recently, due to the low water levels, the foundations of houses from the old Maniów – one of the villages that were demolished before the reservoir was created – have emerged from the lake's bed. This sight serves as a reminder of the region's history and evokes nostalgia among residents and tourists.

Author of the photos and text: Ewa Bandyk