Pogorzany: Hillside, Hike, and Remembrance

Pogorzany on the slope of Ciecień

Pogorzany lies almost entirely on the northeastern slope of Ciecień. In Jodłownik municipality, Ciecień (829 m) and Kostrza (720 m) are the highest mountains. Ciecień thus rises 109 m above Kostrza. These figures give the elevation range of the municipality; Pogorzany itself is situated on the northeastern slope of Ciecień. This distinguishes the village’s location from the municipality’s broader mountain landscape.

A tour through Pogorzany

A one-and-a-half-hour tour runs from Szczyrzyc through Pogorzany to Przełęcz nad Grodziskiem and is 10.4 km long. It begins with a visit to Diabli Kamień and the hermitage in Szczyrzyc. The route then leads to a scenic saddle on the southern slopes of Grodzisko. From there, you can enjoy a panorama of the Pasmo Łysiny i Lubomira in the Beskid Średni. Duration and distance are two distinct planning measures: one indicates the time required, the other the length of the route. Check current route conditions before setting out. This will help you plan the tour as a single itinerary, taking in the route through Pogorzany, the destination at the saddle, and the panorama.

Below Diabli Kamień lies the hermitage of Saint Benedict, founded in the early 19th century. Its location connects it to the landscape, while its founding date places it in a historical context. For travelers interested in sacred history as well as the mountain scenery, it is another notable feature of the area.

Remembering the victims of Smykań

The story commemorated by the memorial obelisk takes place in Smykań, a hamlet of Pogorzany. During the pacification operation in September 1944, German troops murdered 42 people there; 18 of them were burned alive in a barn. Execution units also burned down 17 houses. The memorial obelisk to the victims stands in Pogorzany and was ceremonially unveiled on May 18, 1986. The historical site and the memorial are therefore in different named locations: the pacification operation took place in Smykań, while the monument is in Pogorzany.

To find the monument, turn left in Pogorzany from the Szczyrzyc–Dobczyce road, after a wooden bus shelter, onto a narrow paved road. The monument is 50 m from the main road. Road and route conditions may change; check directions before your visit.

Choose a holiday apartment to suit your travel plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Pogorzany, you can start by deciding what matters most to you: will the tour be the active part of your stay, or would you rather focus more on the landscape and local history? The tour’s duration and distance provide concrete planning details, while the directions help you plan a separate visit to the memorial in Pogorzany.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Laskowa, Jodłownik, Rupniów, Mszana Górna, Porąbka, Niedzwiedz K Limanowej, Poręba Wielka, Raba Nizna

For the broader travel overview: Limanowa.