Przełęcz Karkonoska or Karkonosze Pass (Czech: Slezské sedlo, literally "Silesian Pass") is a mountain pass in the central Giant Mountains on the Polish-Czech border. At 1,197 m (3,927 ft), it is the lowest point of the main ridge of the Giant Mountains.
| Przełęcz Karkonoska | |
|---|---|
 Przełęcz Karkonoska in summer | |
| Elevation | 1,197 m (3,927 ft) |
| Traversed by | Road |
| Location | Poland, Czech Republic |
| Range | Giant Mountains |
| Coordinates | 50°45′46″N 15°38′2″E / 50.76278°N 15.63389°E |
  Przełęcz Karkonoska Location of Przełęcz Karkonoska  Przełęcz Karkonoska Przełęcz Karkonoska (Poland) | |
In the Czech Republic, the area is also referred to as Špindlerova bouda ("Špindler's Hut"), after a mountain hut located there. Another chalet, situated on the Polish side of the border, is called Odrodzenie.
Tourism
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The pass is accessible by a road either from Špindlerův Mlýn, served by bus, or from Poland. The Polish road is said to be one the steepest roads in Poland with the average inclination 7.2%, reaching 24% at maximum.[1] Although road quality on the Polish side is relatively poor, the pass is much sought after by mountain bikers. The pass is a hub of hiking trails, including the Polish–Czech Friendship Trail.
History
editDuring World War II, the area was incorporated into Nazi Germany along with the Sudetes. At that time, the Nazis held the Allied prisoners of war in the Špindlerova bouda mountain hut. On the other hand, the Silesian (today Polish) mountain hut, was confiscated by Nazis as a property of a Jew and converted into a boarding house for Hitlerjugend members, and later into a hotel for Nazi officers.[2]
Following the Fall of Communism, presidents of Czechoslovakia and Poland met at the Przełęcz Karkonoska in 1990.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Przełęcz Karkonoska (1198 m / 1238 m) z Podgórzyna [retrieved 2009-12-26]
- ^ Przełęcz Karkonoska [retrieved 2009-12-26]
- ^ Staffa, Marek (2001). Karkonosze (in Polish). Wrocław: Wydawnictwo Dolnośląskie. p. 184. ISBN 83-7023-560-3.
