From the hill of Wawel to the High Tatras: sacred mountains,cultural heritage and tourism in Malopolska (Poland)

Abstract

The Tatra Mountains in the region of Malopolska (Poland) have been consideredsacred since celtic times, as revealed in a richmythology about dragons dwelling on highplaces. This is the case of the sacred hill ofWawel, which eventually became a Christianplace of worship overlooking the Vistula riverand the city of Cracovia, an importantdestination for pilgrimage due to its largenumber of temples and saints of the Catholic Church. During the summer time, hundredsof tourists visit the shores of Lake Morskie Oko and dozens of climbers ascend to the summit of Rysy, the highest peak in Poland,located amidst the High Tatras, one of the most scenic mountain ranges in the Carpathians. The mountain village of Zakopane keeps picturesque manifestations of the material and intangible cultural heritage of the Tatras. This paper explores, from an anthropological perspective the region of Malopolska and the importance of the Tatra Mountains for the religion, identity and tourism in Poland. Forthe purpose of this research, the author completed a pedestrian traverse from Polandto Slovakia, crossing the High Tatras on footand ascending to the summit of Rysi. She also visited the mountain village of Zakopane (withits alpine cemetery and ethnographic museums), the underground chapels carved in the salt mines of Wieliczka, the mythical hillof Wawel and numerous churches and shrines in Cracovia, in addition to its excellent archaeological museum. Her field research took place in connection with the visit of Pope Francis to Cracovia, for the World Youth Day in 2016.