Krempachy: Churches, Village Square and Hiking Trail

• The village lies on the right bank of the Białka and at the foot of a limestone ridge with Pieniny rock formations.
• St. Valentine’s Cemetery Church was built in 1761 on the site of an older wooden church.
• A green hiking trail leads from Nowa Biała through Krempachy towards Niedzica Castle.

The long square in the center and the rows of barns surrounding the village are characteristic features that help you find your way around. This spatial arrangement differs from a villagescape described only by individual buildings: here, the central square and the surrounding rows of barns belong together. If you are interested in settlement patterns and rural architecture, these features offer a concrete way to explore Krempachy.

The village’s location on the right bank of the Białka and at the foot of the limestone ridge with Pieniny rock formations is also part of its character. The landscape and village structure offer two different perspectives: the riverside location and rock formations describe the surroundings, while the square and rows of barns reveal the layout of the village.

The two historic churches have distinct architectural features. St. Martin’s Parish Church has a tall tower with a characteristic swallowtail-shaped finial. A wooden gallery running around the tower, also known as a hurdy or watch gallery, adds to its design. The church’s interior is predominantly Late Baroque and Rococo.

St. Valentine’s Cemetery Church was built in 1761 on the site of an older wooden church. Instead of a tower, it has a roof turret; its four-sided roof is covered with sheet metal. The main altar features a painting of Saints Stanislaus, Valentine and Nicholas. It comes from the older wooden church that previously stood on this site.

Despite their different exterior appearances, the churches share one feature: both have richly decorated Rococo altars. To compare their architecture, you can look at two aspects: their different tower and roof forms, and the Rococo decoration shared by their altars.

A green hiking trail to Niedzica Castle runs from Nowa Biała through Krempachy along the road in the direction of Dursztyn. The place names provide specific points of reference for the route described, and Niedzica Castle is the trail’s destination. If you include this hiking option in your plans, check local trail conditions before setting out.

When looking for hotels in Krempachy, you can first decide what you want to focus on: would you like to explore the village square and rows of barns, are you particularly interested in church architecture, or would you like to include the green hiking trail? These topics offer different starting points for planning your trip, without describing the same kind of stay.

Discover more destinations: Szczawnica, Kluszkowce, Chyżne, Zaskale, Ratułów, Podwilk, Zubrzyca Dolna, Rogoźnik.

What defines the villagescape of Krempachy?

There is a long square in the center, and rows of barns surround the village.

How do the two churches differ in appearance?

St. Martin’s has a tall tower with a swallowtail-shaped finial and a wooden gallery. Instead of a tower, St. Valentine’s has a roof turret and a four-sided roof covered with sheet metal.

Where does the green hiking trail lead?

It runs from Nowa Biała through Krempachy along the road in the direction of Dursztyn and to Niedzica Castle. Check local trail conditions before setting out.

Go to the main travel overview: Nowotarski.