Mstów: Manor House History and Village Location

• Location: on the Tarnawka stream, in the central part of Jodłownik municipality and north of the village of Jodłownik.
• Earliest known mention: 1408, in the archives of Szczyrzyc Abbey.
• Manor house park: listed under number A-525 on 23 August 1988; partially delisted in 2015.
• Families associated with Mstów include the Zborowski, Gąsiorowski and Popiel families.
• Near the former manor house stands a wayside chapel with a figure of the Pensive Christ (Chrystus Frasobliwy).

Mstów lies on the Tarnawka in the central part of Jodłownik municipality, a few kilometres north of the village of Jodłownik. The municipality and the village therefore refer to different locations. If you are specifically looking for accommodation in Mstów, check whether the listing names Mstów itself or refers only to Jodłownik. This helps you choose based on the exact location.

This distinction also helps put the village’s history into context: the recorded events concern Mstów, the village and the manor house, but not always the same property. The location by the stream and within the municipality provides a framework for these events without conflating their different historical contexts.

The earliest known mention of Mstów dates to 1408 and is held in the archives of Szczyrzyc Abbey. Another connection to Szczyrzyc dates to 1505: at that time, Mstów belonged to Joanesa ze Mstowa-Mstowski, a benefactor of the Cistercian monastery in Szczyrzyc, where he was also buried. These dates point to different aspects of the village’s history: 1408 is its earliest known mention, while 1505 connects Mstów with a person and the monastery.

Towards the end of the 16th century, Mstów came under the rule of Stanisław Zborowski of the Jastrzębiec coat of arms. A few decades later, the village passed into the possession of the Gąsiorowski family of the Pilawa coat of arms. In the 19th century, the Popiel family took over the estate and manor house. These details have different points of reference: Zborowski and Gąsiorowski are associated with the rule and ownership of the village, while the reference to the Popiel family specifically concerns the estate and manor house.

The manor house park was entered in the heritage register under number A-525 on 23 August 1988. A decision dated 1 September 2015 removed part of the park and part of the screening zone from the register. Both steps matter for understanding the listing: the 2015 decision specifically concerns parts of the park and the zone, not all the areas mentioned earlier.

Near the former manor house stands a wayside chapel with a figure of the Pensive Christ (Chrystus Frasobliwy). A local legend tells of a snake charmer who is said to have died while luring snakes out of the manor house. The manor’s owner is said to have built a chapel on the spot. This story is handed down as a legend, not as a verified historical account. This distinction allows the actual wayside chapel to be considered separately from the story of its origins, without treating the legend as a chronicle.

Discover more destinations: Jodłownik, Nowe Rybie, Kasinka Mala, Limanowa, Lubomierz, Laskowa, Tymbark, Podobin.

Where is Mstów in relation to Jodłownik?

Mstów lies in the central part of Jodłownik municipality, a few kilometres north of the village of Jodłownik.

Which families are associated with Mstów’s history?

Towards the end of the 16th century, Mstów came under the rule of Stanisław Zborowski; later, the village belonged to the Gąsiorowski family. In the 19th century, the Popiel family took over the estate and manor house.

What does the local legend say?

It tells of a snake charmer who is said to have died while luring snakes out of the manor house. The manor’s owner is said to have built a chapel on the spot afterwards.

For the broader travel overview: Limanowa.