The Dark Charm of Małopolska – Sightseeing on the Trail of Ghosts

Sunrise on Mt Babia  A beautiful sky with clouds and the sun peeking out between the mountain pines.  In the middle, a boulder with information about the trail.
From castles and ruins to mines and cemeteries, November is the perfect opportunity to discover the unknown histories of Małopolska and experience the dark atmosphere of bygone eras. Is that scary? Just a little! Check out where in Małopolska you can meet ghosts, ghouls and other freaks!

Wieliczka Salt Mine

The Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the most famous and magical places in Poland, but it can also be somewhat disturbing. In its vaults, stories circulate about unusual creatures – the Treasurer, the White Lady or other mysterious creatures – that were supposed to accompany the miners on their work. The legends also speak of a 'memory of salt', where the aisles are said to preserve the sounds of the miners' former work, which can sometimes be 'heard'. These unusual phenomena, combined with the darkness and labyrinths of the underworld, create an aura full of mystery and inexplicable sensations. While visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mine, you better always look behind you.

Niedzica Castle – The White Lady and hidden treasure

The Niedzica Castle, built on a steep hill on the shores of Lake Czorsztyńskie, is famous for the legend of the White Lady. Its history dates back to the time when the fortress was in the hands of the Berzevich family. An aristocrat is said to have hidden a secret Inca treasure here in treasure in the 18th century. Unfortunately, after her death, the ghoststayed in the castle to guard the hidden wealth. Since then, she has appeared in the castle's corridors as the White Lady, trailing a chill and gentle mist behind her. Beware of visiting the castle at night! They say the White Lady is not at peace and continues to seek contact with those who can uncover her hidden secrets.

Olkusz – the Machnicki Manor House full of secrets

When visiting the monuments of Olkusz, you will certainly find yourself in the Machnicki Manor House which now houses the Władysław Wołkowski Creativity Museum There is a legend about this place about the visit of an Olkusz woman who had been experiencing highly realistic nightmares about the manor house for a long time. In her dreams, the ghost of a monk would appear, take her hand, and lead her to the building's underground. There, he showed her shelves full of shoeboxes, claiming that the remains of him and his confreres rested in them. The ghost told the woman that they would not find peace until they were buried in consecrated ground. During archaeological work, boxes of human remains were indeed discovered in the basement. They turned out to be the bones of monks from the Augustinian monastery. The remains were eventually moved to the old cemetery, where the monks were given a rest in consecrated ground. All this was according to the will of the ghost

Oświęcim – with the spirit of Anusia? 

In Oświęcim there is a legend about the dramatic fate of two merchant families who wanted to reunite through the marriage of their children. The alderman's younger son, Peter, was to marry Anusia, the town councillor's only daughter. Wedding preparations were underway when Dorota, a townswoman who had fallen head over heels in love with him, appeared in Piotr's life. On the advice of a maid, Dorota enlisted the help of the gypsy Riksa to win Piotr's heart. Riksa prepared a magic potion that made Peter abandon Anusia and get involved with Dorota. The distraught Anusia could not bear the loss, and her tragic death in the rapids of the Soła River shook Piotr, who eventually chose the life of a monk. When it was discovered that Dorota had used witchcraft and that Riksa had a part in it, the gypsy woman was accused of malicious witchcraft. Despite the trials, which did not confirm her guilt, she was sentenced to death by burning. Before her death, however, she cast a curse on Oświęcimto bring suffering to its inhabitants. To this day, it is not clear whether the phantom that appears at night above the castle is the ghost of Anusia or Riksa, seeking justice for her last words. Keep your eyes peeled!

Ethnographic Museum in Tarnów – presence of ghosts confirmed!

The Ethnographic Museum in Tarnów, part of the District Museum in Tarnów, is known not only for its unique exhibitions on Roma culture and traditions but also for its ghost legends. The museum, nestled in a storied historic building, is, according to numerous tales, a place with a haunted past. Ghost hunters from Szczecin, who made special tests for the presence of ghosts a few years ago, have also confirmed the presence of paranormal phenomena. It has been reported that unfamiliar voices and footsteps have been heard in the building, some items from the ethnographic collection change their position at night or after the museum closes, and many people have seen mysterious figures roaming around the exhibition halls. The high level of ghostly activity has changed with the renovation of the building. However, it is better to remain vigilant, as some people still see the figure of a small child and an elderly gentleman in costumes from another era.

Mt Babia Góra – Ghosts rule here

Mt Babia, also known as Diablak, has been shrouded in an aura of mystery for centuries. According to legends, the mountain was supposed to be a meeting place for witches, and there was even a devil's castle on its summit, which was built for the soul of Gazda from Zawoja. To this day, stories still circulate about vague figures, flickering lights and strange phenomena that can be seen between the trees.

What's more, the summit of Diablak is compared by experts in paranormal phenomena to the Bermuda Triangle. There are inexplicable temperature changes, humidity fluctuations, compass disruptions and sudden fogs and storms. There have also been several puzzling accidents on Mt Babia. In 1963, a helicopter crashed and the cause of the accident has never been established. In 1969, a passenger plane from Warsaw to Kraków, despite good weather conditions, veered off the route, encountered dense fog and slammed intothe mountainside (53 people died). Although it has been officially acknowledged that the accident occurred due to a navigation failure, the details of the pilots' conversations are still secret. In 2013, a small private plane with three people on board crashed on the summit.

So, when hiking on Mt Babia, be on your guard and do not stray from the trail. It is rumoured that mischievous gnomes, a ghost horse, and a mysterious man in a hat lead innocent tourists astray.

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