Pęksowy Brzyzek National Cemetery of Distinguished People

The Cemetery of the Meritorious at Pęksowy Brzyzek in Zakopane, also known as the Old Cemetery, is the first cemetery in Zakopane, established in the second half of the 19th century by Father Józef Stolarczyk. It is the resting place of approximately 500 people, 250 of whom are individuals who made significant contributions to culture and the region. The tombstones in the cemetery are unique works of art, including chapels, wood and stone sculptures, and highland crosses, many of which were created in the workshop of Władysław Hasior. The cemetery is surrounded by family tombs of well-known highland families. At the entrance, there is the symbolic grave of Witkacy, and nearby rest important figures such as Stanisław Marusarz, Kornel Makuszyński, and Tytus Chałubiński. The cemetery has a rich history, and its name comes from the land donor, Jan Pęksa. In 1931, it was granted the status of the Cemetery of the Meritorious, which limited burials to distinguished individuals. In the 1950s, a renovation was carried out, resulting in the addition of a stone wall and bas-reliefs. Since 2014, fees have been charged for visiting the cemetery, which are used for its maintenance. An interesting fact is the hidden grave of the mountaineer Maciej Berbeka and monuments commemorating Polish composers. The cemetery is not only a place of rest but also an important point on the cultural map of Zakopane.