A memorial obelisk in Pogorzany commemorates the pacification action in Smykań; a one-and-a-half-hour tour passes through the village to Przełęcz nad Grodziskiem. This brings together two different travel interests: the history of a specific event and a route offering a panorama from Grodzisko. The history and landscape of the area can thus be explored through precisely named places.

Commemorating the Pacification Action

In September 1944, German troops murdered 42 people during the pacification action in Smykań, a hamlet of Pogorzany. Eighteen of them were burned alive in a barn. Execution units also burned down 17 houses.

The memorial obelisk to the victims is located in Pogorzany and was ceremonially unveiled on May 18, 1986. Smykań and Pogorzany refer to different points of reference: Smykań is the hamlet where the events took place, while Pogorzany is the location of the memorial. September 1944 and May 18, 1986 mark different stages—the historical event and the later commemoration.

Finding the Memorial

From the Szczyrzyc–Dobczyce road, turn left in Pogorzany onto a narrow paved road after a wooden bus shelter. The memorial is 50 m from the main road. The bus shelter, turnoff, and distance provide specific points of reference for finding your way. As road and trail conditions can change, check the local situation before your visit.

Hillside Location in the Municipality

Pogorzany lies almost entirely on the northeastern slope of Ciecień. The highest mountains in the Jodłownik municipality are Ciecień, at 829 m, and Kostrza, at 720 m. Ciecień is 109 m higher than Kostrza. These elevations place Pogorzany’s location in a broader geographic context: Ciecień defines the specific hillside setting of Pogorzany, while the two mountains establish the elevation range of the municipality.

Tour through Pogorzany to Przełęcz nad Grodziskiem

The one-and-a-half-hour tour runs from Szczyrzyc through Pogorzany to Przełęcz nad Grodziskiem and is 10.4 km long. The first stops are Diabli Kamień and the hermitage in Szczyrzyc. The route then leads to a scenic saddle on the southern slopes of Grodzisko. From there, the panorama takes in Pasmo Łysiny i Lubomira in the Beskid Średni. The route therefore includes named stops, a clearly identified destination, and a specific panorama.

For planning, the route length and stated duration can help you consider the tour as a focus in its own right. For the memorial, the turnoff and local directions are more relevant. If you are considering both, these different details can help you decide what to focus your stay on. Check the route conditions locally before planning your visit.

Discover more destinations: Mstów, Mszana Dolna, Mszana Górna, Dobra, Kobyłczyna, Limanowa, Szczawa, Jodłownik

Go to the main travel overview: Limanowa.