Giewont, Mountain peak in Tatra County, Poland
Giewont is a mountain in the Western Tatra range near Zakopane, rising to 1895 meters above sea level. Its northern face drops sharply in vertical cliffs, while three separate rocky summits form the peak zone and give the mountain its characteristic triangular shape.
The first recorded ascent took place in 1832 when Franz Herbich, a geologist from Vienna, reached the top. Mariusz Zaruski made the first winter climb in 1904, opening a new chapter in Polish alpine mountaineering.
The name comes from an old Polish word meaning peak or summit, fitting the sharp profile visible from the valley below. Locals often see the outline of a sleeping knight in the mountain's silhouette when viewed from certain angles.
Several marked paths begin at Kuznice and pass through Hala Kondratowa, taking about four to five hours to reach the top. The trail can become crowded during peak summer months, so setting off early in the morning helps avoid the busiest hours.
A steel cross measuring 15 meters in height has stood at the summit since 1901, drawing pilgrims from across Poland. Mountain guides carried the cross to the top in sections, and today it serves as one of the highest religious symbols in the Tatra range.
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