Grybow: The Beskid Foothills and Architectural History

Buildings around the market square

Grybow’s most important historic buildings are concentrated around the market square. On its north side stands the Neo-Gothic town hall, a brick building dating from 1902. The manor house of the Hoschów family is southeast of the square. It has been preserved to this day and is characterised by its classicist style. The historic building of the “Sokół” Society is also part of the townscape: it stands at 7 Kościuszki Street, was built between 1906 and 1910, and retains a clearly recognisable historic form with architectural details.

The dates and architectural styles offer another point of reference. The town hall was built in 1902, followed by the “Sokół” Society building between 1906 and 1910. The Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria was built later, between 1909 and 1914, as a Neo-Gothic parish church. If you choose historic buildings as your focus, the market square helps you place the sights mentioned here in relation to one another. Their architectural forms and dates can be viewed as different aspects of Grybow’s urban history.

Basilica, synagogue and parish museum

The Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria combines Neo-Gothic architecture with two venerated devotional images. It houses the venerated image of Our Lady Przedziwna, dating from 1700, and a wooden Madonna and Child known as the Madonna of Grybow. The basilica’s tower is 77 metres high. Its architectural history, height and two distinct images each offer a different perspective on the church.

The synagogue on Kilińskiego Street was also built in 1909. A niche for the Aron ha-Kodesh has been preserved inside. Another building is home to the parish museum: the historic rectory was probably built in 1699 and now houses the museum. Its permanent exhibition is divided into a section on Western Christian civilisation and one on Eastern Christian civilisation, with an additional section on Jewish tradition. The eastern exhibition section contains icons, some of which date back to the 17th century. The museum also displays the painting “Saint Zofia with Her Daughters”, from 1440. In Grybow, buildings, religious traditions and works of art with different historical connections stand side by side.

Places of remembrance and travel

Jewish cemetery No. 130 preserves around 50 stone tombstones from the 19th and 20th centuries. A separate military section commemorates Jewish soldiers who fell in the First World War. Distinct from this is First World War military cemetery No. 129, designed by Hans Mayr and located on the southeastern edge of Grybow. These two places offer a different focus for exploring history than the historic buildings around the market square.

For rail travel, Grybow station is on line 96 from Tarnów to Leluchów. It is served by lines K7/K71 on the Kraków or Tarnów – Nowy Sącz – Krynica-Zdrój route. Train connections and timetables may change, so check the information before travelling.

When choosing your holiday apartment, you can explore Grybow through the themes that interest you most during your stay. The market square is a useful point of reference for the historic buildings; the parish museum, synagogue and cemeteries add further cultural and historical dimensions. If travelling by rail is important to you, include the station and its connections in your plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Świdnik, Piwniczna-Zdrój, Zarzecze, Florynka, Zubrzyk, Nowy Sącz, Białawoda, Kąclowa.

To the main travel overview: Nowy Sącz.