The Fairy Tale Garden in Międzygórz

The Fairy Tale Garden in Międzygórz is a picturesque open-air museum featuring a collection of wooden sculptures depicting characters from fairy tales and legends. Situated at an altitude of 700–710 meters above sea level, it covers an area of 0.25 hectares. Its history dates back to the period after World War I, when forester and botanist Izydor Kriesten began gathering sculptures he created over about 20 years as a tribute to the Spirit of the Mountains (Duch Gór). In the 1970s, the garden was taken over by scouts, who maintained it until 1981. Unfortunately, it fell into neglect again after that time, until 1985, when it was taken over by the Międzygórz branch of the Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society (PTTK), which initiated its restoration and revival. In the garden, visitors can see characters such as Pinocchio, Hansel and Gretel, or Koszałek Opałek, with the central place occupied by the Spirit of the Mountains, Liczyrzepa. The sculptures were renovated in 2008, and their colorful appearance was created by Małgorzata Szczepańska. The garden features artificially planted shrubs and trees, including junipers, yews, and azaleas. In the spring of 2009, the tourist path called the Gnome Trail (Szlak Krasnala) was opened, leading to the garden from the bus stop in Międzygórz, enhancing its accessibility and appeal to tourists. The Fairy Tale Garden combines cultural, architectural, and natural aspects, creating a unique place for reflection on the richness of Polish legends and fairy tales.