While capturing the breathtaking winter scenery of Gubałówka for my previous blog, I was entirely immersed in framing the majestic Tatra Mountains against the perfect light. Daria, already feeling the cold, decided to head back ahead of me. Just as she reached the cable car, she sent me a message: “There’s a nice church nearby.” I was puzzled. We had walked the same path, yet I had not noticed any chapel. This is when I discovered Chapel on Gubałówka in Zakopane, a hidden gem and underrated European city.
Because my focus had been locked on the mountains, searching for compositions where the light met the snowy peaks, completely oblivious to what lay on my right-hand side. So when I was soon on my way back, I saw this picturesque wooden chapel atop a small hill. It was framed by wooden gate and draped in fresh snow from the previous day. The moment felt incredible.
Determined to capture this hidden gem, I worked with my widest focal length of 12mm, grateful for my switch to Sony, which allowed me to include both the sky and the snowy ground without cutting any essential elements. The scene was even more beautiful now that the sun was shining on the snow. That was the only day we had both new snow and sunshine, which made the find even more special.
The History of Chapel on Gubałówka in Zakopane
The Chapel on Gubałówka in Zakopane is not just a scenic landmark; it is a symbol of faith and perseverance. Designed as a votive tribute in 1961 by Marianna and Władysław Bachleda, the chapel is evidence of their thanks for surviving the devastation of World War II.
Risking their lives, the Bachleda family hid Polish and Soviet partisans throughout the Nazi occupation. They ran into the spruce forest—on the very ground the chapel now stands—when threatened with immediate execution. They vowed in those hard times: should they survive, they would establish a house of worship. Years later, they kept their word by building the little wooden chapel using wood taken from the cleared forest.
A Must-See Viewpoint in Zakopane
Still loved by both residents and tourists today, the Chapel on Gubałówka is Nestled among the hills, its simple wooden construction provides a quiet spot among Zakopane’s busy tourism paths. This secret haven is worth looking for whether it is coated in a perfect covering of snow or summer sunshine.
