Grybow offers visitors several ways to explore the city’s history: historic buildings, sacred art and memorial sites from the First World War. The most important historic monuments are concentrated around the market square. Other topics can be explored through the parish museum, the synagogue and two cemeteries. When planning your stay, you can choose according to the interests that matter most to you.
Architectural history around the market square
On the north side of the market square stands the town hall, a Neo-Gothic brick building dating from 1902. The Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria is also Neo-Gothic; it was built from 1909 to 1914. Its tower is 77 metres high. The town hall and parish church can be compared by their different functions and dates of construction. The basilica also houses the venerated image of Our Lady Przedziwna, dating from 1700, and a wooden Madonna and Child known as the Madonna of Grybow. Architectural history and devotional art are two distinct themes within the same church.
A different architectural style is represented by the classical manor house of the Hoschów family, which still stands southeast of the market square. The historic building of the “Sokół” Society at 7 Kościuszki Street was built between 1906 and 1910; its historic form and architectural details are clearly visible. Along with the Neo-Gothic town hall and basilica, it offers a comparison of different architectural styles. These dates help place the buildings in their historical context without reducing them to a single period.
Sacred art and Jewish history
The synagogue on Kilińskiego Street was built in 1909. A niche for the Aron ha-Kodesh has been preserved inside. This architectural detail points to a distinct aspect of the city’s history. Another way to explore the past is through the historic rectory, which was probably built in 1699 and now houses the parish museum.
The parish museum’s permanent exhibition is divided into sections on Western and Eastern Christian civilisation, as well as a section on Jewish tradition. Works on display include the painting “Saint Zofia with Her Daughters,” dating from 1440. The eastern section also contains icons, some of which date back to the 17th century. The combination of exhibition sections and individual works of art gives the museum several thematic starting points.
Jewish Cemetery No. 130 preserves around 50 stone tombstones from the 19th and 20th centuries. A separate military section contains the graves of Jewish soldiers who fell in the First World War. War Cemetery No. 129 is also associated with the First World War: it was designed by Hans Mayr and is located on the southeastern edge of Grybow. The two sites differ in their history and function: one is a Jewish cemetery with its own military section, while the other is a war cemetery designed by a named architect.
Landscape, travel and accommodation
Grybow lies in the valley of the Biała River, on the edge of the Low Beskids. This description of the surrounding landscape complements the city’s cultural themes. 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 services and timetables may change; check the times before your trip.
If you are looking for a hotel in Grybow, you can base your choice on the sights you plan to visit. Compare each location with the places you are most interested in, and take your travel arrangements into account as well.
Discover more destinations: Rytro, Chełmiec, Uhryń, Zarzecze, Krzyżówka, Podegrodzie, Mochnaczka Niżna, Nowa Wieś.
For the broader travel overview: Nowy Sącz.
