Sromowce Niżne

Sromowce Niżne is a picturesque village in the Pieniny Mountains, located on the left bank of the Dunajec River, at the beginning of the Dunajec River Gorge. The village lies opposite the Red Monastery and is dominated by the peaks of the Three Crowns. Its history dates back to the 13th century, and a wooden church from the 16th century, housing a 14th-century sculpture of the Madonna with Child, has been preserved. The inhabitants, numbering over a thousand, have traditionally earned their living from raftsmen's trade, farming, and tourism. The village is the seat of the Polish Association of Pieniny Raftsmen. A trail from Sromowce Niżne leads to the Three Crowns through the Sobczański Gorge, which separates the Czorsztyn Pieniny from the Three Crowns massif. The gorge, with steep walls reaching 40 meters, hides several caves and is associated with legends, including the rescue of King John II Casimir. It is also the site of the only river ford border crossing in Europe. The houses in Sromowce Niżne are adorned with numerous flowers, adding to the charm of this tourist destination.