Shores

The village of Brzegi, located in the Małopolskie Voivodeship's Tatra County, has existed since 1625, although mentions of it date back to the late 16th century. From 1975 to 1998, it was administratively part of the Nowy Sącz Voivodeship. The parish church of St. Anthony of Padua, built in 1950, is cared for by the Society of the Divine Word (Verbists). On Rynias Hill, there is the Scala retreat house, dedicated to the work of the founder of the Redemptorists, St. Alphonsus Liguori, and the Chapel of Our Lady of the Mountains, long managed by Fr. Jan Mikrut CSsR. Brzegi is also known for its five ski lifts operating in winter and numerous local events, such as the "At the Confluence of Three Cultures – Lindada" festival, where residents showcase folk traditions and highland folklore. Local embroiderers stand out, as do wooden highland-style cottages and roadside shrines. The village lies within the buffer zone of the Tatra National Park, surrounded by valleys of streams flowing from the Brzegowski Dział range, whose highest peak is Cyrhla nad Białką (1,155 m). From nearby clearings, such as Głodówka, panoramic views of the Tatra Mountains unfold. A notable historical event was the meeting between Cardinal Karol Wojtyła and Fr. Franciszek Blachnicki on November 1, 1976, at the Rynias clearing during the consecration of the retreat house and chapel, which initiated the tradition of holding retreats there. With 769 permanent residents according to 2012 data, Brzegi combines rich history, regional architecture, and vibrant cultural activity.