Located on the Kalniczka and along the route towards Komańcza, Tarnawa Dolna can be understood through its present-day location and an older history as a shared settlement. The original Tarnawa was divided in the 17th century into Tarnawa Niżna and Tarnawa Wyżna. The division continues to this day under the later names Tarnawa Górna and Tarnawa Dolna. Anyone learning about the village will encounter two time periods: today's name Tarnawa Dolna and the shared Tarnawa to which parts of the earlier history refer.

A shared history and historical milestones

The historical settlement from which Tarnawa Dolna and Tarnawa Górna emerged was first mentioned in a document in 1402; Mikołaj z Tarnawy is named as its owner. This date is several centuries before the division and provides an early reference point for the shared Tarnawa. The settlement lay along the road over the Łupkowski Pass to Hungary.

The area's economic history includes a saltworks that operated in Tarnawa in the 18th century and closed in the early 19th century. Its religious milestones are also spread across a long period: a Greek Catholic church existed in Tarnawa from 1537. A Roman Catholic parish was established in the historical settlement in 1908, and a parish church was built there between 1924 and 1933. The Greek Catholic church had existed since 1537, long before the Roman Catholic parish was established in 1908; its parish church was built between 1924 and 1933.

The “Wzgórze Gruszka” cycling route

The cycling route leads from Lesko towards Zagórz via Postołów and passes Łysa Góra along a forest road. It passes Tarnawa Dolna and the hills of Makówka and Gruszka. Three named points along the route lie at different elevations: Łysa Góra at 420 metres, Makówka at 497 metres, and Gruszka at 583 metres. The elevation differences are 77 metres between Łysa Góra and Makówka, 86 metres between Makówka and Gruszka, and 163 metres between Łysa Góra and Gruszka. Tarnawa Dolna lies on the route, which continues beyond it. The elevation difference between Makówka and Gruszka, at 86 metres, is greater than the 77 metres between Łysa Góra and Makówka; the difference is nine metres.

The route then follows a forest road to Łukowe, through the Tarnawka (Kalniczka) valley to Średnie Wielkie, and via the now-defunct village of Choceń to Cisowiec. When planning the cycling route, you can include Tarnawa Dolna as a stop along the way. Before setting off, it is advisable to check the current condition of the forest roads that form part of the described route.

Discover more destinations: Wysoczany, Komańcza, Tyrawa Solna, Kalnica, Czaszyn, Mrzygłód, Łukowe, Siemuszowa

For the broader travel overview: Sanok.