Trzy Korony
Encyclopedia
Trzy Korony is the summit
of the Three Crowns Massif
, an independent portion of a range
called Pieniny Mountains in the south of Poland
. Trzy Korony forms the central part of a compact group of connected mountains known as Pieniny Środkowe, consisting mainly of the limestone
and dolomite
rock
strata. Trzy Korony is located within the Pieniny National Park
in Lesser Poland Voivodeship
.
The summit is separated from the surrounding peaks (known as Łysiny Group) by the Wyżni Łazek Pass, descending into deep valleys with streams surrounded by forested slopes. The Three Crowns consists of five sharp peaks, made of resistant limestone
. The highest of the peaks is called Okrąglica. It stands 982 meters above sea level. At the top of Okrąglica there is an observation platform complete with metal barriers built for the tourists. – The platform, overlooking Dunajec River Gorge
, can accommodate up to 15 people at a time.
The second tallest peak (Southeast of Okrąglica), is called Płaska Skała (Flat Rock), rising 950 m above sea level. The next peak known as Nad Ogródki (Over the Kitchen Gardens) located Southwest of Okrąglica, is the third tallest, rising 940 m above sea level. At its top, there used to be a weather station
built in 1933 and operated manually by a Goral
hermit.
The fourth peak, called Pańska or Bryłowa Skała (Lord or Lump Rock) rising 920 m above sea level, is a nesting zone for a rare bird the Wallcreeper
with extraordinary crimson wings. The smallest peak of the Trzy Korony summit is called Niżnia Okrąglica aka. Ganek, Siodło (Porch, Saddle). It stands 80 m lower than the tallest peak; to the south. Niżnia Okrąglica used to contain the original observation deck before the metal platform with barriers was built atop the tallest one, thus enlarging the Pieniny panorama.
The Trzy Korony summit is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Pieniny Mountains. The observation deck hangs over a 500 metres (1,640.4 ft) precipice, with a near perfect view of the Dunajec river gorge and the vast area of the Pieniny National Park, the Tatra Mountains
, Beskid Sądecki
, Gorce
and Beskid Żywiecki. In good weather one can see as far as Babia Gora, 63 km away.
The Three Crowns was originally called simply Pieniny. In 1834 (during the reign of Austria-Hungary
) a German name Kronenberg appeared in documents (translated into Polish as the Crown). The current name took hold at around 1860. The Three Crowns massif contains at least 7 species of rare plants which cannot be found anywhere else in Pieniny, including the endemic species of Pieniny dandelion (unfortunately, already extinct), and Złocień Zawadzkiego
. Besides them, there are numerous and rare lime-loving species of rock plants including Rozchodnik wielki
– a host for a caterpillar
of an endemic and rare Pieniny Apollo
butterfly.
The Three Crowns has been a tourist attraction for a very long time. First recorded trek to the top took place in 1767. First regular tourists walked up around 1830. In 1906, the first official route to the summit from Krościenko
was labeled with blue signs. In 1929 after the liberation of Poland
, the Three Crowns has been bought by the Polish government from its private owners and turned into the Pieniny National Park established in 1932. And finally, in 2001-2002 the Park's authorities built the new metal platforms with barriers to accommodate mass tourism.
at the southern foot of the Three Crowns, there's a popular hostel
operated by PTTK
called the Three Crowns.
The summit of the Three Crowns can be reached by several color marked trails ascending from different local towns such as Szczawnica
, Krościenko nad Dunajcem
, Czorsztyn
and Sromowce Wyżne
.
Summit
Summit may refer to:*Summit , the highest point of a mountain, hill, road, or railway.-Locations:United States* Summit, Arizona* Summit, Arkansas* Summit, California** Summit, Butte County, California** Summit, Kern County, California...
of the Three Crowns Massif
Massif
In geology, a massif is a section of a planet's crust that is demarcated by faults or flexures. In the movement of the crust, a massif tends to retain its internal structure while being displaced as a whole...
, an independent portion of a range
Mountain range
A mountain range is a single, large mass consisting of a succession of mountains or narrowly spaced mountain ridges, with or without peaks, closely related in position, direction, formation, and age; a component part of a mountain system or of a mountain chain...
called Pieniny Mountains in the south of Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. Trzy Korony forms the central part of a compact group of connected mountains known as Pieniny Środkowe, consisting mainly of the limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
and dolomite
Dolomite
Dolomite is a carbonate mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate CaMg2. The term is also used to describe the sedimentary carbonate rock dolostone....
rock
Rock (geology)
In geology, rock or stone is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids.The Earth's outer solid layer, the lithosphere, is made of rock. In general rocks are of three types, namely, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic...
strata. Trzy Korony is located within the Pieniny National Park
Pieniny National Park (Poland)
Pieniny National Park is a protected area in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, southern Poland, in the heart of the Pieniny Mountains.- The location :...
in Lesser Poland Voivodeship
Lesser Poland Voivodeship
Małopolska Voivodeship , or Lesser Poland Voivodeship, is a voivodeship, in southern Poland...
.
The summit is separated from the surrounding peaks (known as Łysiny Group) by the Wyżni Łazek Pass, descending into deep valleys with streams surrounded by forested slopes. The Three Crowns consists of five sharp peaks, made of resistant limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
. The highest of the peaks is called Okrąglica. It stands 982 meters above sea level. At the top of Okrąglica there is an observation platform complete with metal barriers built for the tourists. – The platform, overlooking Dunajec River Gorge
Dunajec River Gorge
The Dunajec River Gorge runs through the Pieniny Mountains in the south of Poland and the north of Slovakia . The gorge is characterized by some of the most interesting geological and geomorphological structures and area-specific natural ecosystems with little anthropogenic influence...
, can accommodate up to 15 people at a time.
The second tallest peak (Southeast of Okrąglica), is called Płaska Skała (Flat Rock), rising 950 m above sea level. The next peak known as Nad Ogródki (Over the Kitchen Gardens) located Southwest of Okrąglica, is the third tallest, rising 940 m above sea level. At its top, there used to be a weather station
Weather station
A weather station is a facility, either on land or sea, with instruments and equipment for observing atmospheric conditions to provide information for weather forecasts and to study the weather and climate. The measurements taken include temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, wind speed, wind...
built in 1933 and operated manually by a Goral
Gorals
The Gorale are a group of indigenous people found along southern Poland, northern Slovakia, and in the region of Cieszyn Silesia in the Czech Republic...
hermit.
The fourth peak, called Pańska or Bryłowa Skała (Lord or Lump Rock) rising 920 m above sea level, is a nesting zone for a rare bird the Wallcreeper
Wallcreeper
The Wallcreeper is a small passerine bird found throughout the high mountains of Eurasia. It is the only member of the genus Tichodroma.-Taxonomy and etymology:...
with extraordinary crimson wings. The smallest peak of the Trzy Korony summit is called Niżnia Okrąglica aka. Ganek, Siodło (Porch, Saddle). It stands 80 m lower than the tallest peak; to the south. Niżnia Okrąglica used to contain the original observation deck before the metal platform with barriers was built atop the tallest one, thus enlarging the Pieniny panorama.
The Trzy Korony summit is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Pieniny Mountains. The observation deck hangs over a 500 metres (1,640.4 ft) precipice, with a near perfect view of the Dunajec river gorge and the vast area of the Pieniny National Park, the Tatra Mountains
Tatra Mountains
The Tatra Mountains, Tatras or Tatra , are a mountain range which forms a natural border between Slovakia and Poland, and are the highest mountain range in the Carpathian Mountains...
, Beskid Sądecki
Low Beskids
The ', ', Low Beskids or Lower Beskids is one of the Beskids mountain ranges in the Outer Eastern Carpathians in southeastern Poland and northeastern Slovakia...
, Gorce
Gorce
Gorce may refer to:*Gorce, a former town in south-western Poland, now part of Boguszów-Gorce*Gorce, a mountain range in southern Poland: see Gorce National Park...
and Beskid Żywiecki. In good weather one can see as far as Babia Gora, 63 km away.
The Three Crowns was originally called simply Pieniny. In 1834 (during the reign of Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
) a German name Kronenberg appeared in documents (translated into Polish as the Crown). The current name took hold at around 1860. The Three Crowns massif contains at least 7 species of rare plants which cannot be found anywhere else in Pieniny, including the endemic species of Pieniny dandelion (unfortunately, already extinct), and Złocień Zawadzkiego
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums, often called mums or chrysanths, are of the genus constituting approximately 30 species of perennial flowering plants in the family Asteraceae which is native to Asia and northeastern Europe.-Etymology:...
. Besides them, there are numerous and rare lime-loving species of rock plants including Rozchodnik wielki
Hylotelephium telephium
Hylotelephium telephium is succulent perennial groundcover of the family Crassulaceae native to Eurasia. The flowers are held in dense heads and can be reddish or yellowish-white...
– a host for a caterpillar
Caterpillar
Caterpillars are the larval form of members of the order Lepidoptera . They are mostly herbivorous in food habit, although some species are insectivorous. Caterpillars are voracious feeders and many of them are considered to be pests in agriculture...
of an endemic and rare Pieniny Apollo
Apollo (butterfly)
The Apollo or Mountain Apollo , is a butterfly of the Papilionidae family.-Distribution and status:It is found on mountains in Europe usually above up to , preferring flowery meadows and mountain pastures...
butterfly.
The Three Crowns has been a tourist attraction for a very long time. First recorded trek to the top took place in 1767. First regular tourists walked up around 1830. In 1906, the first official route to the summit from Krościenko
Kroscienko
Krościenko can refer to three villages in Poland:*Krościenko nad Dunajcem*Krościenko Wyżne*Krościenko, Bieszczady County in Subcarpathian Voivodeship...
was labeled with blue signs. In 1929 after the liberation of Poland
Second Polish Republic
The Second Polish Republic, Second Commonwealth of Poland or interwar Poland refers to Poland between the two world wars; a period in Polish history in which Poland was restored as an independent state. Officially known as the Republic of Poland or the Commonwealth of Poland , the Polish state was...
, the Three Crowns has been bought by the Polish government from its private owners and turned into the Pieniny National Park established in 1932. And finally, in 2001-2002 the Park's authorities built the new metal platforms with barriers to accommodate mass tourism.
Tourist trails
All trails that lead to the Three Crowns summit from the main roads below, are color marked, and join together under the peak called the Saddle. From there the viewing platform at the tallest peak, can be reached in 15 minutes. During the tourist season the access to the platform must be paid for, allowing for the authorized entry to the peak of Sokolica as well. In good weather there are large queues forming at the entrance sometimes. In the ski village of Sromowce NiżneSromowce Nizne
Sromowce Niżne is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Czorsztyn, within Nowy Targ County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, in southern Poland, close to the border with Slovakia. It lies approximately south-east of Maniowy, east of Nowy Targ, and south-east of the regional capital...
at the southern foot of the Three Crowns, there's a popular hostel
Hostel
Hostels provide budget oriented, sociable accommodation where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed, in a dormitory and share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex, although private rooms may also be available...
operated by PTTK
PTTK
Polskie Towarzystwo Turystyczno-Krajoznawcze, PTTK, is a Polish non-governmental tourist organization founded in 1950...
called the Three Crowns.
The summit of the Three Crowns can be reached by several color marked trails ascending from different local towns such as Szczawnica
Szczawnica
Szczawnica is a resort town in Nowy Targ County in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, in southern Poland. As of June 30, 2007, its population was 7,378....
, Krościenko nad Dunajcem
Kroscienko nad Dunajcem
Krościenko nad Dunajcem is a village in southern Poland situated in the Nowy Targ County in Lesser Poland Voivodeship since 1999...
, Czorsztyn
Czorsztyn
Czorsztyn is a village in Poland, in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Nowy Targ County. The village lies in Pieniny, is located in the mountain range on the current Polish-Slovakian border...
and Sromowce Wyżne
Sromowce Wyzne
Sromowce Wyżne is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Czorsztyn, within Nowy Targ County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, in southern Poland, close to the border with Slovakia. It lies approximately south-east of Maniowy, east of Nowy Targ, and south-east of the regional capital...
.
- The blue trail from SzczawnicaSzczawnicaSzczawnica is a resort town in Nowy Targ County in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, in southern Poland. As of June 30, 2007, its population was 7,378....
leads through the hills of Sokolica, Czertezik, Czerteż, Bajków Groń (Sokola Perć) and Zamkowa Góra - The yellow trail from Szczawnica leads through Polana Wyrobek Glade and Przełęcz Szopka Pass before joining in with the blue trail (above)
- The yellow and blue trails from Krościenko nad DunajcemKroscienko nad DunajcemKrościenko nad Dunajcem is a village in southern Poland situated in the Nowy Targ County in Lesser Poland Voivodeship since 1999...
lead through Przełęcz Szopka (the Nativity Pass), then along the blue trail up to Siodło (the Saddle). The approximate time to the top is 2 hours; 1:45 min back - The yellow and blue trails from Krościenko via Zamkowa Góra (the Castle Mountain) as per above
- The yellow and blue trails from Sromowce NiżneSromowce NizneSromowce Niżne is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Czorsztyn, within Nowy Targ County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, in southern Poland, close to the border with Slovakia. It lies approximately south-east of Maniowy, east of Nowy Targ, and south-east of the regional capital...
lead through Wąwóz Szopczański Ravine, along Przełęcz Szopka Pass, and then join in with the blue trail leading to the Saddle. -
The yellow, green and blue trails from Sromowce Niżne lead through Wąwóz Szopczański Ravine, then along the green trail to the Wyżni Łazek onto the clearing Kosarzyska and from there along the blue trail toward Siodło (the Saddle). The approximate time to the top is 2 hours; 1:45 min back - The blue trail from CzorsztynCzorsztynCzorsztyn is a village in Poland, in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Nowy Targ County. The village lies in Pieniny, is located in the mountain range on the current Polish-Slovakian border...
leads through the mountain passes of Przełęcz Osice, Macelak, Przełęcz Trzy Kopce, and Przełęcz Szopka toward Siodło - The red and blue trails from Sromowce WyżneSromowce WyzneSromowce Wyżne is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Czorsztyn, within Nowy Targ County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, in southern Poland, close to the border with Slovakia. It lies approximately south-east of Maniowy, east of Nowy Targ, and south-east of the regional capital...
– the rafting station on the Dunajec in Kąty village – lead to Przełęcz Trzy Kopce Pass (ca. 45 min), where they join in with the blue trail leading up from Czorsztyn