2025-11-11 14:00
publication
2025-11-11 14:00
The Society for the Protection of Monuments in Zakopane (TOnZ) appealed against the decision of the Małopolska Conservator of Monuments, which refused to enter Krupówki in the provincial register of monuments. Community activists are appealing for the entry, arguing that Krupówki has a historic urban layout documenting the development of the city.
In the appeal, TOnZ accuses the conservation authority of incorrect and incomplete determination of the facts and incorrect assessment of the historic values of the area. According to the Society, the current appearance of Krupówki, combining various architectural styles – from regional to modernist – determines their identity and is “testimony to historical layers”.
– It is the diversity of architectural forms, resulting from the history of Zakopane and the influence of different styles, that creates the unique character of Krupówki. It cannot be treated as a defect, but as an added value in the development of the city, Agata Nowakowska-Wolak from the Zakopane branch of the Society for the Protection of Monuments told PAP.
Social activists also point out that the dominance of commercial functions along Krupówki is not a new phenomenon, but a historically established one – characteristic of the main urban streets of the “high street” type, i.e. the main street in the city, intended for hotel, commercial, catering and representative purposes. TOnZ also points out that the existing protection within the Cultural Park and local plans is insufficient since – as they argue – “large-scale development is progressing and historical values are weakening.”
The appeal recalled that the layout of the streets and building blocks of Krupówki has remained relatively stable since the end of the 19th century, and its transformations reflect the city's development process. TOnZ also emphasizes that the area includes natural elements of historical value, including: a group of yew trees recognized as a natural monument and the Botanical Garden. Marian Raciborski at the Tatra Museum. The Society requests the annulment of the conservator's decision and the entry of Krupówki into the register of monuments as a “historical urban layout of part of the city of Zakopane within the boundaries of the Cultural Park in the area of Krupówki Street.”
The Zakopane City Hall also filed a separate appeal in this matter.
In October, the Małopolska Provincial Conservator of Monuments refused to enter Krupówki into the register. The justification stated that this area has never formed a coherent historical urban layout, and the current character of the street differs significantly from the original spatial and aesthetic structure. The provincial conservator reminded that Krupówki is already protected by local regulations – as part of the Cultural Park and through individual entries in the register of monuments.
The conservator proposed to the city authorities to introduce additional forms of protection in local spatial development plans, including: establishing rules regarding the shape and height of buildings and architectural details. He also pointed out that these proposals have not been implemented yet. (PAP)
szb/ rbk/
