Waksmund, Village in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Poland
Waksmund is a village in southern Poland situated on the south bank of the Dunajec River at approximately 565 meters elevation. The Gorce Mountains rise to the north, while slopes descending toward the Tatra range define the landscape to the south.
German-speaking settlers established the village between 1334 and 1338 under Magdeburg Law, transforming what was previously known as Wilcze Pole or Wolf's Field. By the 15th century, the settlement had grown into a community with military obligations to the Polish crown.
The name comes from the Slavic word 'waks' meaning wax, reflecting the region's historical importance for beekeeping. Walking through the village, you can still see the traditional architecture that speaks to these local practices.
The village sits about 3 kilometers east of Nowy Targ and serves as a starting point for visiting three national parks all within 20 kilometers reach. The Dunajec River flows through the area and provides natural landmarks for orientation when exploring the surroundings.
The village experiences extreme winter cold and ranks among Poland's coldest locations with recorded temperatures dropping to minus 35 degrees Celsius. An unofficial temperature record of minus 49 degrees Celsius was reported there in 1929.
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