Tadeusz Hołdys High-Mountain Meteorological Observatory on Śnieżka, Weather observatory at Mount Śnieżka, Karpacz, Poland
The Tadeusz Hołdys High-Mountain Meteorological Observatory on Śnieżka is a weather station located at 1602 meters on one of the highest peaks in the Karkonosze Mountains. The building features three connected disc-shaped structures made of concrete, steel, aluminum, and glass that conduct measurements of solar radiation, air pollution, radioactivity, and standard meteorological observations.
Meteorological observations on Mount Śnieżka started in 1824 at Saint Lawrence Chapel, which also served as a shelter for early instruments and visitors. The current modernist building designed by Witold Lipiński in 1974 replaced these initial observation points with a permanently staffed scientific facility.
The building's disc-like shapes reflect the rock formations naturally sculpted by erosion in the Karkonosze Mountains. Visitors notice how the architecture stands out distinctly from typical mountain structures they might expect to see.
The high-altitude location means weather conditions change quickly and can shift rapidly from clear to foggy within minutes. Visitors should bring warm clothing and sturdy footwear and be prepared for limited visiting times that depend on weather conditions.
The building is popularly known as the Martian Plates because of its shape and is one of only two Polish mountain stations connected to a global network of high-altitude research sites. This connection allows scientists to compare data from this remote peak with other extreme locations around the world.
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