Upper Karpacz

Upper Karpacz, formerly known as Bierutowice or Brückenberg, is a part of the town of Karpacz, with a history dating back to 1635, when families of religious refugees from Bohemia settled here. The settlement developed along a medieval trade route connecting Silesia with Bohemia, which influenced its growth and appeal to tourists. In the 18th century, it became part of the collective mountain community, Gebirgsbauden, and its social life centered around a local inn. In 1844, on the initiative of the Prussian King Frederick William IV, a wooden Evangelical church, known as the Wang Temple, was built in Upper Karpacz. This attracted tourist interest and contributed to the development of tourism infrastructure, including hotels and roads. The influx of tourists led to a significant population increase, reaching 906 people by 1933. After World War II, the area underwent administrative changes, and in 2018, the name Upper Karpacz was officially restored. The region is home to historical monuments such as the 13th-century Wang Church and a historic cemetery complex. Upper Karpacz is also a site for meteorological research; a weather station located at an altitude of 860 meters above sea level collects climate and weather data. The average annual rainfall is 1233 mm, and the average air temperature is around +4.5°C, making it a valuable location for tourists and researchers alike. It is also worth noting that Upper Karpacz is the highest-altitude part of Karpacz, located near the borders of the Karkonosze National Park, which attracts nature lovers and mountain hikers. In 2016, public consultations were held to change the name from Bierutowice to Upper Karpacz, which ended successfully. Upper Karpacz represents a rich cultural heritage, both in terms of its history and architecture, and its tourism development serves as an example of blending history with modernity.