Poland–Czech Republic–Slovakia Tripoint

In the hamlet of Trzycatek, on the edge of the village of Jaworzynka, you can walk around three countries in a few minutes: Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Their borders have met here since 1 January 1993, and the actual meeting point is not on the meadow with the obelisks but at the bottom of a wooded ravine, in the bed of a stream. It is one of the easiest tripoints in Poland to reach, with a paved path, a footbridge and picnic shelters.

History: a border born from a split

Until the end of 1992 this was simply the Polish–Czechoslovak border. When Czechoslovakia split into two states, a new tripoint appeared at Trzycatek – one of six on Poland's borders. On the Polish side lies Jaworzynka (Istebna municipality), on the Czech side Hrčava and on the Slovak side Čierne. In 1995 a helicopter flew in three triangular obelisks of light grey granite, one for each country. Each is 215 cm tall and weighs more than 800 kg.

What to see

• Three granite obelisks bearing the names of the three countries – they stand close together, but none of them marks the exact tripoint.
• The ravine and its stream – the real tripoint lies in the streambed at the bottom of a ravine about 8 m deep and 34 m wide, which is why the obelisks stand nearby on dry ground.
• The footbridge over the ravine – the first, wooden one opened in 2007, was dismantled in 2016 because of its poor condition, and a new one opened in 2022. Thanks to it you can once again cross from Poland to the Slovak side with dry feet.
• A small post marking the spot where the three borders really meet.
• Shelters and barbecue spots on the Polish side, with views of the low ridges of the southern Silesian Beskids.

Did you know?

Since 2009, on the Saturday after 15 August (following the local parish feast), the tripoint has hosted a prayer meeting of the three nations, initiated by Tomáš Galis, Bishop of Žilina. For years the altar was built from scratch each time, until in 2016 parishioners from Trzycatek built a permanent one. The site also hosts cross-border cultural and sports events.

Tripto tip

Don't drive all the way to the tripoint – the last stretch is closed to traffic except for Trzycatek residents. The regional tourist information service recommends leaving your car at the paid car park of the "Jaworzynka" Recreation and Sports Centre (pay at reception) and continuing on foot – it is a short walk. The path is paved and has a ramp for pushchairs and bikes next to the steps, so it works well for families with small children. There is no shop or restaurant at the tripoint, but there are benches and shelters, so bring a picnic. An hour is enough for the visit itself; if you want more, a green trail branches off near the tripoint and leads into Slovakia.