GLICZARÓW GÓRNY

History, location and life of the village

Gliczarów Górny is a Podhale village located in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Tatra County, in the municipality of Biały Dunajec. It sits on a foothill ridge between Biały Dunajec and Bukowina Tatrzańska, at an altitude of about 900-1006 m above sea level, making it one of the highest situated villages in Poland. There are currently 10 officially registered streets in Gliczarów Górny: Kaniówka, Wierchy, Golocki, Widokowa, Jurzyste, Tatrzańska, Fiśkowa Dolina, Matygówka, Rząski, and Iwan.

The village is also divided into traditional hamlets and settlements. In administrative terms, the following are listed as parts of the village: Łuszczkowie, Fiśkowa Dolina, Stasindowie, Iwańscy, Skowyrowie, Cudzichowie, Cupaki, and Jurzyści. Tourist descriptions additionally mention the settlements of Jurzyste, Matygówka, Bartków Wierch, Fiśkowa Dolina, and Dziadkówka. In practice, these hamlets partially overlap with street names and are used both in official records and in everyday language among residents.

Demographic data are dispersed: the 2011 census reported 573 residents, earlier municipal estimates around 800, while analyses based on the 2021 National Census indicate about 631 inhabitants. The differences result from the measurement year and methodology, yet the settlement scale remains typical for a larger Podhale village.

Outline of history

The roots of the village reach back to the 17th century. Podhale was undergoing an organized settlement campaign led by starost Stanisław Witowski, which resulted in the founding of many new villages, including Witów, Dzianisz, Groń, Obidowa, Białka, Bukowina, Brzegi, Olcza, Poronin, Ząb, and Gliczarów. Around 1630, the locator Marcin Bafia established the village of Gliczarów under Vlach law, and on 4 February 1668 his son Andrzej Bafia received a royal deed of hereditary village leadership in “Gleycarów” from King John II Casimir. The name itself is linked to two etymologies: the Vlach word “glicza”, said to mean a place exposed to strong winds, and the German “gletscher” – glacier.

After World War II, the original village of Gliczarów was divided into Gliczarów Dolny and Gliczarów Górny – the younger in historical terms, but situated higher on the sunny southern slopes. More dynamic growth followed the construction of the water supply system (1969) and the hard-surfacing of the road from Bukowina Tatrzańska (1976), which opened the way for tourism development across the entire Gliczarów Foothills. From 1975 to 1998 the village belonged administratively to the Nowy Sącz Voivodeship.

Religious and parish life

The centre of religious life is the Parish of the Transfiguration in Gliczarów Górny, established in 1999. The parish church, built between 1980 and 1984 in the Tatra architectural style, was created thanks in part to the generosity of local families. The parish serves the surrounding hamlets and runs an active pastoral programme, including youth groups and music ensembles. A detailed history of the parish, the construction of the church, and the schedule of services can be found on the subpage Parish and Church.

School and education

Primary School in Gliczarów Górny is named after Andrzej Skupień-Florek and located at Wierchy 121. It is considered one of the highest situated educational institutions in Poland. The school continues the traditions of the former middle school, whose patron, Andrzej Skupień-Florek, was an outstanding Podhale poet, social activist and promoter of local culture. A separate subpage may present the patron’s profile, the school’s history and its current projects. More information here.

Volunteer Fire Brigade, heritage sites and cultural heritage

A Volunteer Fire Brigade operates in the village, serving both a rescue function and a community-building role. The OSP has its own building and equipment, and it actively participates in organising local events. A detailed history of OSP Gliczarów Górny, its equipment, and its most important operations can be found in the OSP section.

The heritage of Gliczarów Górny includes not only the parish church but also roadside chapels, crosses and wooden sculptures by Wojciech Kułach Wawrzyńcok, one of the most distinguished folk sculptors of Podhale. Traditional wooden architecture, the local dialect, music and Podhale cuisine remain a living part of everyday life for residents.

Tourism and events

The high elevation, panoramic view of the entire Tatra range and relatively calm atmosphere make Gliczarów Górny an alternative to Zakopane. Guesthouses, holiday cottages and private lodgings are developing, and in winter the ski stations in Gliczarów and neighbouring villages operate. The village hosts recurring events such as the Gliczarów Festival, harvest celebrations and ski rallies, combining its role as a holiday destination with the preservation of local folklore.

Archival maps

^{Galicia and Bukovina (1861–1864) – Second military survey of the Habsburg Empire}

^{Galicia and Lodomeria (1779–1783) – First military survey}