Rówień Krupowa in Zakopane

Rówień Krupowa is a large, flat meadow in the very centre of Zakopane, right next to the lower end of Krupówki street. From its lawns you can see Giewont and Gubałówka, and through the year it hosts the town's biggest outdoor events, from a festival of highland folk from around the world to a televised New Year's Eve show.

Where the name comes from

"Rówień" is the local highland word for a flat plain, and the second part of the name comes from the Krupa family, who once owned the land. The meadow used to be larger, also covering the area of today's Krupówki, and served as fields and pasture. Kościuszki street divides it into two parts: Lower Rówień Krupowa to the north and Upper Rówień Krupowa to the south. The park grounds of Rówień Krupowa are a listed historic site.

Lower Rówień Krupowa

The lower, northern part is smaller but more developed, with paths, benches, a highland-style playground and sculptures. The largest is "Orbita", a sculpture several metres tall by the Zakopane artist Henryk Burzec, dating from the 1970s. Next to it stand large wooden letters spelling "Zakopane", where visitors take photos with Giewont in the background. A metal strip set into one of the paved paths marks the Kraków zero meridian.

What happens here

• In summer the stage and competition tent of the International Festival of Highland Folklore, which reached its 54th edition in 2023, stand on the lower meadow. Groups from a dozen or more countries compete for the Golden Ciupaga, a highlander's axe, and a festival village offers craft workshops.
• During the festival the meadow also hosts the Podhale carriage-driving championships and a show of Tatra sheepdogs.
• In winter there is sometimes an ice rink and cross-country ski tracks, and a New Year's Eve concert broadcast live on television has been held on the meadow.
• A travelling funfair sets up here from time to time.

Tripto tip

Entry is free and the park is open all year. Lower Rówień is a few minutes' walk from the bottom of Krupówki, so it is a good place to rest after strolling along the main street. On a clear day the benches on the lower meadow give you Giewont and Gubałówka in one view. On big event days expect crowds and fenced-off parts of the meadow, and check the programme before you come.