Karpacz

Karpacz [ˈkarpat͡ʂ] (German: Krummhübel) is a spa town and ski resort in Jelenia Góra County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland, and one of the most important centres for mountain hiking and skiing, including ski jumping. Its population is about 5,000 (2014). Karpacz is situated in the Karkonosze Mountains (German: Riesengebirge) — a resort with increasing importance for tourism as an alternative to the Alps.

Karpacz is located at 480 to 885 metres (1,575–2,904 ft) above sea level. South of Karpacz on the border to the Czech Republic there is Mount Sněžka-Śnieżka (1,602 m).

History

The first settlements in area of Karpacz are noted by the official website of the city as being of probable Celtic origin and date to the 4th or 3rd century BC when they inhabited the region as part of gold digging taking place in the area. The first mention of permanent location within the current boundaries of the town is dated to the beginning of 15th century and connected to destruction of village called Broniów, whose inhabitants moved to settle the area currently located at the altitude of town's railway station.