The Władysław Hasior Gallery is one of the most unusual cultural stops in Zakopane — a perfect choice for a rainy day break from the trails, or simply for travelers curious about something completely different from mountain scenery. It is a dedicated gallery showcasing around 200 works by one of the most original Polish artists of the 20th century.

The building itself is striking — a historic former sanatorium sun-lounge terrace belonging to the 'Warszawianka' resort, built in 1935 to a design by Wacław Nowakowski, with the characteristic wooden architecture typical of pre-war Zakopane. Inside, this setting contrasts sharply with Hasior's raw, avant-garde art — sculptures and assemblages combining metal, wood, fabric and everyday objects into symbolic, often unsettling forms. The atmosphere feels special in every season, though in winter, with snow blanketing the wooden facade outside, the place takes on an especially evocative mood.

How to get there

• Zakopane town center — a few minutes' walk from Krupówki street, easy access, no mountain trail required
• Also reachable by car or local transport — convenient in-town location

Practical information

• The gallery is a branch of the Tatra Museum
• Following a thorough renovation (co-funded by EU funds), the gallery reopened to visitors on 15 May 2021 during Zakopane's Night of Museums
• The building also serves as an exhibition and concert hall

Fun fact: the building once served sanatorium patients resting on deckchairs in the fresh mountain air — today it offers something equally invigorating: an encounter with art as striking as the peaks outside.