St. George's Chapel Anny in Grabowiec with the Dobry Spring beating under it is an extremely characteristic and interesting sacral building. Located in Sosnówka, next to Karpacz, from which the yellow trail leads here, it attracts the interest of many tourists.
St. George's Chapel Anna in Grabowiec - history
Chapel of St. Anna in Grabowiec was built in the place of the Good Source, also called the Holy Source or the Source of Love. The first mention of it dates back to 1212, originally it was a wooden building. The chapel of St. Anna in Grabowiec was built on the initiative of Bolko II, but it was destroyed during the Hussite wars. The current chapel is made of brick and dates back to the 18th century. It was founded by Count Hans Anton von Schaffgotsch from Cieplice.
The building known as St. Anne's Chapel in Grabowiec has a very interesting shape because it was built on an ellipse and its walls are up to 1.7 meters thick. It was built in such a way that the altar was located exactly above the place from which the spring flowed out of the rock. The altar was brought from the chapel of St. Wawrzyniec on Śnieżka. On the altar there is a beautiful painting of Saint Anna the Third - with Jesus, Mary and Joseph. However, over time it turned out that radon water, due to its composition, was not suitable for the temple equipment and was moved outside under the chapel floor. For this reason, the pictures in the chapel were painted on copper sheet, and not on wood or canvas as usual, because the paint on the paintings faded very quickly.
St. George's Chapel Anna Sosnowka
The chapel is situated on a forested slope of Grabowiec, the Karkonosze peak, which is 784 m above sea level. The area around the chapel is revitalized, which is why this place is often visited. Especially since it is also a great vantage point, among others on Sosnowka Reservoir.
St. George's Chapel Anny is located in a unique place. According to archaeologists, they were already worshiped in Neolithic times. Together with the nearby Grabowiec Rocks, and especially the famous Frying Pan, it could have been a place of magical practices and pagan rituals. Good Source is probably the oldest cult place on the Polish side of the Karkonosze Mountains. Traces of this can be found in the names of nearby places, such as Pagan Valley or Witches' Path.
Good Source at the chapel of St. Anna in Grabowiec
This source has always been associated with magical power. Already in pagan times, various rituals were held here, as evidenced by numerous archaeological finds. As part of the promotion of a new religion, a Christian chapel was erected around the 12th century, which was considered a miraculous spring. What attracts tourists to the chapel of St. Anna? Undoubtedly, the extraordinary properties of the water coming from the spring. The plates on the water intake have inscriptions in German. They contain memories of the special history of this place, and also describe the healing properties of the spring. The one from 1212 says: It was a sacred and healing springand the other: In 1920, they were renewed by Reich Count Schaffgotsch.
The water from the spring was used to heal people. The fact is that the water from the Good Spring is slightly radioactive, contains radium and is poorly mineralized. As a historical curiosity, it is worth quoting the fact that for a long time this water was transported by carts to the palace in Cieplice. Count Hans Anton von Schaffgotsch, the founder of the brick chapel, served miraculous water on his table every day. It remains a mystery whether she was the main reason for the happiness and splendor of this family. Anyway, it certainly didn't hurt...
St. George's Chapel Anna in Grabowiec - curiosities
This place has always attracted people interested in the miraculous properties of the water from Dobre Źródła, as well as adventurers and tourists. However, in past eras, travel opportunities and clothes, especially for women, were significantly different from those today. And they weren't really suitable for hiking. Therefore, to get here or travel even further, i.e. along the Silesian Route to Śnieżka, sedan chairs were used. Although a different concept was used at that time. This was called "pole travel." From 1817, there was even a "Corps of guides and litter carriers".
This association covered several nearby towns, and its members were responsible for transporting sedan chairs and carrying tourists, among others, to the chapel of St. Anna. They were stationed in Karpacz, Sosnówka, Sobieszów, Piechowice and Szklarska Poręba. This way of traveling was very popular because it allowed the aristocracy to explore the mountains, but without any effort. Tourists were carried in litters even to Śnieżka!
Today, the tradition of "traveling on poles" returns. This is especially chosen by young couples who want to be carried in a litter until their wedding. Apparently traveling by litter is very comfortable. Those who would like to get married in Sosnówka, in the chapel of St. Anna, they will be able to see it for themselves. This pre-war tradition was renewed in 2002 and the chapel of St. Anna in Grabowiec became popular again. By deciding on weddinglin the mountains, we also get a chance to take unique wedding photos. Especially since there are plenty of great ones in the area wedding halls - Lower Silesia and the Jeleniogórska Valley are famous for them.
Water from the Miraculous Spring was used in various semi-magical rituals. It is said that the power of this water was appreciated by witches who gathered for sabbaths in this area. There is also a legend that whoever runs around the chapel seven times, having water from the Good Spring in their mouth and not spilling a drop, will be extremely lucky in love ... It's definitely worth a try!
Another legend tells of a prince who was tracking a wounded deer - the king of the forest, a symbol of bravery, courage and dignity. He met him bathing in a spring, and during this bath, the animal's wounds healed instantly. Of course, there was no question of further pursuit of the deer, miraculously cured thanks to the magical water from the spring at the chapel of St. Anna.
Hornbeam Sosnowka
the chapel of St. Anna can be found on the western, forested slope of Grabowiec. This rotunda (14 by 10 meters) was built on the site of pagan beliefs; one of the forest paths is even called the Witches' Path! Right next to the chapel of St. Anna led the oldest road leading to the Karkonosze, called the Silesian Route. It started in Sosnówka and continued to Bierutowska Przełęcz, and then past Mały Staw to Śnieżka. This location has made this place very popular, actually from the very beginning of its existence.
Corporate events, weddings, communions and christenings?
In addition, it is worth remembering that it is a great vantage point and an ideal place for walks. Regardless of the season, it is worth going here and feeling the atmosphere of a magical place. Beautiful forests surrounding the chapel of St. Anna and the trails leading to it are also a feast for nature lovers. The smell of the old forest, singing birds and amazing views will certainly be a reward also for those who do not feel the energy flowing from the chakra in the area. There are also prepared points for rest and relaxation with a view of the magnificent mountain panorama.
St. George's Chapel Anna Karpacz route
The route from Karpacz to the chapel of St. Anna by car can be covered in a few minutes. The yellow trail also leads there, and it takes about an hour to complete it.
You can also easily get to the chapel from Sosnówka Dolna, following the yellow trail. The walk also takes about an hour. You can also get there by car, the route between Karpacz Górny and Pine. The road leads through the forest, it is quite winding. You can leave your car at a nearby holiday home and cover the rest of the route on foot. The walk will then take approximately 10 minutes.
Chapel of St. Anna in Grabowiec – how to find this place?
It is an attractive place for tourists and a special place for pilgrims. To the chapel of St. Anna in Grabowiec can be reached by several trails. Most are short and don't require much effort. On a daily basis, the chapel is closed to visitors, but on the day of its patron, a mass is celebrated here. Then you can also go inside. On this day, there is also a fair, during which funds are collected for the renovation of the chapel of St. Anna in Grabowiec.
Access from Dwór Korona Karkonosze
Good to know:
St. George's Chapel Anna in Grabowiec - how to reach it?
Depending on where we start, the route can be 3 km (from Sosnówka) or 3.4 km (from Miłków) or 4.7 km (from Karpacz Biały Jar). All these trails are picturesque and not very demanding, so even a not very experienced tourist can easily reach the chapel. It is worth visiting this place because of the wonderful panorama.
How old is the Chapel of St. Anna in Grabowiec?
In 2019, the Chapel of St. Anny in Grabowiec celebrated the 300th anniversary of its reopening. The first mentions of it come from the 13th century. It is a historic building where you can feel the spirit of past centuries. It has been a place of worship for centuries. Today, it is not only a sacral building, but also a tourist attraction in the region.
Is the Chapel of St. Can Anna get married?
You can get married in this temple. St. George's Chapel Anny is subject to the parish of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn in Sosnówka. All the details of a possible wedding ceremony should be arranged there. In addition, you can go to the wedding in the Chapel of St. Anna in the litter! This is an old tradition of this place, unheard of anywhere else.