Landmarks

Gościnny Manor House in Szczawnica

The Pieniny salon in Upper Park

Dworek Gościnny, also known as the Guest Railway Station or Kursalon, is one of historic Szczawnica’s most distinctive buildings. Its first foundations were laid in 1875 on the initiative of Józef Szalay, and the wooden building opened in 1884. It contained a theatre hall, ballroom, confectionery, reading room, piano room and photographic studio. The manor quickly became the cultural centre of the spa town on the Dunajec.

Theatre, fire and reconstruction

The stage hosted major Polish theatre artists, including Helena Modrzejewska, Ludwik Solski, Stefan Jaracz and Aleksander Zelwerowicz. Concerts, balls and lectures were held here as well. The wooden building burned down on 20 October 1962, leaving only its foundations. Reconstruction became possible after the heirs recovered the former spa estate in 2005. Work began in 2008, and the building reopened in 2011, retaining its historic character and details inspired by the original.

How to plan your visit

Today, Dworek Gościnny operates as the Pieniny Event Centre, hosting concerts, shows, conferences and private events. There are no fixed sightseeing hours or single interior ticket; entry depends on the event programme, a booking or services operating in the building. Address: Upper Park 7, Szczawnica. Check the venue’s current programme before travelling. Upper Park is covered by a renewal project scheduled through May 2027, so paths and access routes may change. Nearby, combine the stop with a walk along the promenade, views of the Dunajec and a ride up Palenica.