Visiting the Old Cemetery of Zakopane, Peksowy Brzyzek, in Poland

Today, I'm taking you to a unique, peaceful place: the old cemetery of Zakopane, Peksowy Brzyzek, at the foot of the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland. This small wooden cemetery, tucked along Koscieliska Street, is both a memorial to important local figures and a beautiful gateway into Zakopane's culture.

Here, you'll find carved graves, a very gentle atmosphere, a typical wooden church, and a different way of approaching death and remembrance. If you're planning to visit Zakopane from Krakow, it's an easy stop to include in a one-day itinerary or a short stay.

In this article, I'll go over both the history of Peksowy Brzyzek, what you'll see as you walk through it, and how to practically organize your visit: access, entrance fee, practical tips, and possible excursions from Krakow.

Peksowy Brzyzek, a cemetery unlike any other in Zakopane

This small wooden cemetery is both a burial place for the personalities of Zakopane and a concentrated snapshot of local history, wooden architecture, and Tatra mountain culture.

Where does the Peksowy Brzyzek cemetery come from and what does its name mean?

The Peksowy Brzyzek cemetery was created in the 19th century from a double land donation to the parish of Zakopane, on a small promontory overlooking a stream. In 1813, two local residents, Pawel and Regina Gasienica, gave a plot of land including a house and a small stone chapel to the parish. Then in 1848, another resident, Jan Peksy, in turn ceded a plot of land to establish a cemetery there.

The site is called the "Peksowy Brzyzek cemetery": "Peksowy" in reference to Peksy, and "Brzyzek" referring to land that overlooks running water. The Cicha Woda stream actually flows below the cemetery, and you can see it down from Koscieliska Street if you continue your walk. It's a subtle detail, but it contributes to the feeling of a place slightly set apart, suspended above the town.

All of this lies in a town whose very name is meaningful: Zakopane means "buried" in Polish. The contrast is quite striking with the energy of the resort and the open landscapes of the surrounding Tatras, and that's also part of what makes the visit symbolically interesting.

St. Clement's wooden church and the stone chapel

The cemetery is closely connected to two neighboring religious buildings: an older stone chapel and a wooden church typical of Zakopane. In 1851, after four years of construction and authorization from Emperor Ferdinand I, a wooden church that is highly representative of local architecture was inaugurated: St. Clement's Church (often called today Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, in reference to the icon venerated inside).

It was built by carpenter Sebastian Gasienica Sobczak, just a stone's throw from the small stone chapel already standing on the site. This chapel, the Kaplica Gasienicow, commemorates the first donation of land from the Gasienica family to the parish of Zakopane.

During my visit, I wanted to go into the church after seeing the cemetery, as Our Lady of Czestochowa Church is directly next door. I walked in during mass: the church was packed to the rafters, with worshippers standing all the way to the back of the nave. I stayed for a while to listen. Even without understanding a word of Polish, I was struck by the fervor, the singing, and the loudspeakers on the roof broadcasting the service outside. It is a powerful reminder of the role that religion still plays in everyday life here.

How an ordinary cemetery became Zakopane's pantheon

Peksowy Brzyzek Cemetery originally served as a completely ordinary parish cemetery before becoming the preferred burial ground for Zakopane's most prominent figures. This change took place in the 1920s, when more and more local personalities began to be buried there, until their graves came to represent more than half of the cemetery.

You first encounter clergymen such as Reverend Jozef Stolarczyk, whose grave greets you at the entrance. He was the first to celebrate mass in the neighboring wooden church, which gives him a special place in the town's religious history. Around him lies a cross-section of Zakopane society: writers, doctors, physicists, architects, high-mountain guides, artists, resistance fighters, teachers.

This dense concentration of lives quietly tells the story of Zakopane's evolution, from mountain village to sought-after resort, then to a major cultural center in Poland. Even if you do not recognize the names, you will quickly see that each grave carries a story, often highlighted by a sculpture, an inscription, or a particular symbol.

Athletes, guides and mountain rescuers buried at Peksowy Brzyzek

One of the most striking aspects of the cemetery is the prominence given to mountaineers and athletes, who are closely tied to Zakopane's identity. Among the noteworthy graves are those of Helena Marusarzowna and her brother Stanislaw Marusarz.

Helena was a seven-time ski champion in Poland before being executed by the Gestapo for her resistance activities during World War II. Stanislaw, a Nordic combined champion, was also arrested, but managed to escape from the central prison in Krakow by jumping from the third floor.

The story of his death is as astonishing as his life: Stanislaw Marusarz collapsed right in the middle of the cemetery while he was delivering the eulogy for another notable figure, history professor Waclaw Felczak. He now rests where he fell, adding an almost novel-like dimension to the place.

The old cemetery of Zakopane is also home to the graves of high-mountain guides and rescuers who roamed the Tatras and rescued climbers in sometimes extreme conditions. You will come across the names of Maciej Sieczka, Stanislaw Gasienica Byrcyn, and also the mountaineer Piotr Malinowski. In his case, it is a symbolic grave: his ashes were scattered in the mountains, but a stele pays tribute to him here, in the middle of "his" Tatras.

A cemetery of artists and intellectuals

As you walk along the paths, you also see the artistic side of the cemetery emerge. Many musicians, storytellers, sculptors, painters rest in Peksowy Brzyzek and contribute to its very distinctive atmosphere. Among them are the violinist Tadeusz Gasienica Giewont, the singer and storyteller Jan Krzeptowski, the sculptor Antoni Kenar, and the painter Wanda Gentil-Trippenhauer.

To these are added writers, architects, scientists, doctors… At times, you almost feel as if you are paging through the city's address book rather than visiting a simple cemetery. For a visitor, the point is not necessarily to remember every name, but rather to sense how Zakopane celebrates its local figures by integrating them into a harmonious, intimate place that feels almost familiar.

What is it like to visit the old cemetery of Zakopane?

You can visit it in under an hour in a fairly small space, but the density of details, sculptures and symbols makes it a rich experience, somewhere between a stroll, quiet observation and contemplation.

A very small cemetery with a very peaceful atmosphere

Peksowy Brzyzek is a modestly sized cemetery, laid out around a single paved central path that winds between the trees. It is far from the large necropolises with straight axes: here, the path instead invites you to zigzag and take the time to examine the graves up close.

The graves are green, full of flowers and very well maintained. I went there on a beautiful sunny October day, with that slightly golden light filtering through the leaves. The whole place gives off something very soothing: you feel more the continuity between the living and the dead than a sharp separation.

I spent a very quiet, almost timeless moment there, alternating between reading the names on the headstones and simply watching the light in the trees. For me, it is a place that makes you see death differently, with more gentleness and closeness. I often regret that we do not have more cemeteries of this kind in France.

Wooden sculptures: a signature of Zakopane

What stands out most at Peksowy Brzyzek is the abundance of carved details. Woodcarving is a specialty of the Zakopane region, and the cemetery is an especially vivid showcase of it. As you walk along the paths, you will see richly decorated crosses, carved tree trunks used as headstones, and statues of Christ and the saints sculpted from wood.

Some funerary monuments are almost reminiscent of totem poles, with slender silhouettes and stylized faces. Others are simpler but just as moving, featuring a mountain motif, an ice axe, a musical instrument, or a book. Each grave tells the story of a profession, a passion, a way of inhabiting the land. If you enjoy crafts and mountain architecture, the visit quickly becomes an open-air art walk.

Spotting the "seated Christs," a distinctive feature of the cemetery

Before going to Peksowy Brzyzek, I had been told about a detail that I probably would not have noticed on my own: the presence of "seated Christs" on several graves. This type of representation, also called a "Christ of pity," is less common than depictions of Christ on the cross or standing.

According to Christian tradition, it symbolizes the moment when Jesus, after his Ascension, "is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty, from where he will come to judge the living and the dead," as the Creed says. In the context of the cemetery, this reinforces that sense of peaceful expectation, of a gaze resting on the living.

You will see several examples if you look closely at the sculptures. During my visit, I amused myself by looking for them, a bit like a common thread running through the cemetery. It is also a good way to involve children or teenagers in the visit, by asking them to spot these seated Christs among the many sculptures.

A quiet break during a stay in Zakopane

When I left the cemetery, I stood for a while looking at the entrance, very simple, marked by a pretty gate. You are just steps away from a lively town, with its restaurants, ski rentals, and shops, and yet the atmosphere changes as soon as you walk through the gate of Peksowy Brzyzek.

Among the cemeteries I have written about on the blog, the one in Zakopane remains one of my favorites, along with Highgate in England. These are places full of poetry and serenity that gently challenge our relationship to mourning. If you feel like alternating between mountain walks, discovering wooden architecture, and more introspective moments, Peksowy Brzyzek fits very well into a varied stay.

How to visit the old cemetery of Zakopane?

The Peksowy Brzyzek cemetery is very easy to reach from downtown Zakopane and can be visited independently, with a symbolic entrance fee; you can also come as part of an organized excursion from Krakow.

Where is the Peksowy Brzyzek cemetery in Zakopane?

The old cemetery of Zakopane is located on Koscieliska Street, one of the oldest streets in town, just a few minutes' walk from the center and the famous shopping street Krupówki. In practical terms, if you are staying near the city center or the bus station, you can easily walk there by following Koscieliska westward.

The street itself is worth a look: you'll see several traditional wooden houses in the typical "Zakopane" style, and the wooden church of Our Lady of Czestochowa stands right next to the cemetery entrance. It's a pleasant route to include as part of a longer walk around this historic neighborhood.

Prices and opening hours: how much is admission to Peksowy Brzyzek?

Admission to the old cemetery of Zakopane is not free, but the price is still very modest, around a few euros (about a few US dollars / a few pounds) in 2026. This contribution goes toward maintaining the site, the graves, and the wooden sculptures, which require regular care.

Opening hours vary by season, with longer hours in the nicer months and earlier closing times in winter. In practice, the cemetery is open during the day, from morning until 5 pm and even 7 pm in high season. It's best to plan your visit in broad daylight so you can really enjoy the light on the sculptures and read the inscriptions without difficulty. If you are traveling in autumn or winter, keep in mind that night falls early in the Tatras.

How much time should you plan on site?

Plan on between 30 minutes and 1 hour to explore the Peksowy Brzyzek cemetery at a relaxed pace, depending on how curious you are about details and biographies. With a quick visit, you can simply walk along the main alley, look at a few carved graves, and get a feel for the atmosphere of the place. If you take the time to read the names, spot the seated Christs, and pay attention to the professions carved on the headstones, time goes by very quickly.

This visit fits easily into a day in Zakopane that includes Koscieliska Street, the wooden church, and then perhaps a stop on Krupówki or a viewpoint like Gubałówka. It's also a pleasant midday stop, a quiet break between two more physical activities.

Getting there from Krakow: on your own or on a day trip?

To visit the Zakopane cemetery from Krakow, you have two options: organize your trip independently or choose a guided day trip.

If you go on your own, the simplest and most budget-friendly option is to take a bus or coach from Krakow's bus station to Zakopane (allow about 2 to 2.5 hours depending on traffic). Once you arrive, you can easily walk from the bus station to Kościeliska Street and include a visit to the Pęksowy Brzyzek Cemetery as part of your stroll around town.

If you prefer something more straightforward with no logistics to handle, organized excursions from Krakow let you discover Zakopane in a single day. They usually include several stops, such as the ride up to Gubałówka, free time in the center, and a walk along Kościeliska Street, where the cemetery is located.

Traveler's Memo for the Old Cemetery of Zakopane (Peksowy Brzyzek)

Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about visiting the old cemetery of Zakopane and how to include it in a trip to the Tatras.

A special place during a stay in Zakopane

The old cemetery of Zakopane, Peksowy Brzyzek, is a short detour that often leaves a lasting impression from a trip to the Tatras. In a small space, it brings together the town's history, mountain culture, the art of woodcarving, and a gentler relationship with death than the one we are sometimes used to. Whether you come for the mountain landscapes, the wooden architecture, or to discover southern Poland, I truly feel this place deserves a visit.

If you have already had the chance to see it, or if you are still hesitating to include it in your itinerary, I would be glad to read your impressions and answer your questions. Feel free to read my Zakopane travel guide to prepare your day or your stay at the foot of the Tatras.