Międzygórze – a winter fairy tale
A fairy tale – there is no better word. Just look at the photos: gentle, forested peaks, between them, in the valley, hugging buildings. It’s from afar. Up close, you notice the details: snow-covered branches create canopies over the walking paths, canopies over the verandas begin to resemble ski slopes, carved columns, balustrades and shutters bring to mind confectionery products. The warm color of the wood contrasts with the light snow. In the evening, the whole area is illuminated by the golden light of lanterns. This is a small village in the Kłodzko Valley, whose picturesque beauty has been attracting tourists for almost 200 years.
Although the history of Międzygórze (German: Wölfelsgrund) dates back to the 16th century (the first traces of settlement related to the activities of lumberjacks and coal burners date back to around 1580), the village flourished in the 19th century. First, in the middle of the century, the town was purchased by the princess, Marianna of Orańska, whose ambition was to transform the town into a fashionable resort. On the initiative of an aristocrat, the first ones were built (less active people could rent porters and a litter to reach it), and the space around it was adapted by building stone stairs and terraces, making it a tourist attraction.
The foundations for the development of the town were laid. The second stage of its development began a few decades later, and its hero was a certain doctor Janisch from Jawor – a medic who noticed in the town. He knew his stuff – not only did he have medical education, but also a few years earlier he had participated in the creation of an innovative facility in Sokołowsko, Lower Silesia. Lung diseases were treated in the luxurious facilities he founded.
Sokołowsko attracted tourists not only in summer, but also in winter. You could walk on the Sudeten slopes. Skiing lessons were given by Mathias Zdarsky – a pioneer of alpine downhill skiing. The brave ones even had a ski jumping hill at their disposal. As we read on the website Międzygórze.pl, during this period. It became one of those places you had to visit.
The health resort survived the war almost intact. After 1945, it was incorporated into Poland, and the following year its current name was administratively approved. The Employee Holiday Fund took over the tourist traffic. However, despite the changes, the resort retained its status as one of the…
Międzygórze deserves to be compared to Switzerland not only because of its location and sports and spa character, but also because of its buildings. A characteristic element of the village landscape are the above-mentioned . They attract attention. Wooden objects please the eye in summer, but in winter, when snow slightly balances the sharpness of their shapes, they gain a special charm.
The most interesting facilities include: the “Gigant” sanatorium (ul. Sanatoryjna 5), the “Mimoza III” guesthouse (the so-called “Alpejski Dwór”, ul. Sanatoryjna 13), the “Krokus” guesthouse (ul. Wojska Polskiego 32). The entire urban layout of the village has been placed under conservation protection.
What to do in Międzygórze in winter?
The delight of the winter landscape may become an impulse to visit the winter Międzygórze, but it will not complete your entire stay. So how can you spend a long weekend at the foot of Śnieżnik? There are many possibilities.
First, you can go for a walk around the village, making sure to include . There will also be recreational activities around the town. More active people can go on a hiking trip to Śnieżnik (before setting out, be sure to check the conditions on the routes and the weather forecast. Also make sure you have appropriate clothing and equipment). Skiing enthusiasts will certainly be pleased. In the area of the Śnieżnik massif, there are ski slopes. The slopes cover the north-eastern slopes of Czarna Góra (1,205 meters above sea level) and Żmijowiec (1,153 meters above sea level), and their level of difficulty includes both “donkey slopes” for beginners, red slopes with FIS approval and a black wall on which the most advanced skiers can try their skills.
If skiing in Poland is not enough, you can visit. In the resort, you can not only ski down the slopes, but also climb and walk on the sky bridge (the famous one – an over 700-meter-high footbridge hanging over the mountain valley).