Morskie Oko , or Eye of the Sea in English, is the largest and fourth-deepest lake in the Tatra Mountains , in southern Poland . It is located deep within the Tatra National Park in the Rybi Potok (the Fish Brook) Valley, of the High Tatras mountain range at the base of the Mięguszowiecki Summits , in Lesser Poland Voivodeship . In 2014, The Wall Street Journal recognized the lake as one of the five most beautiful lakes in the world.
15-471: The peaks that surround the lake rise about 1,000 meters above its surface; one of them is Rysy (2,499 meters), the highest peak in the Polish Tatras. Besides Mięguszowiecki Summits (including Mięguszowiecki Szczyt Wielki , 2,438 meters), farther away and slightly to the left, is the distinctive, slender Mnich (“Monk,” 2,068 meters). Many Swiss Pines also grow around the lake. In the past, Morskie Oko
30-448: A coachhouse . Both buildings have been granted historical status. Morskie Oko is one of the most popular destinations in the Tatras, often receiving over 50,000 visitors during the vacation season. It is reached by foot in about two hours from the nearest road that allows motorized access. Many other tourists opt to take the journey by horse-drawn cart, a large number of which are operated by
45-563: A mountain chalet at an altitude of 2,250 m (7,380 ft). Between November 1 and June 15, the trail and chalet on the Slovak side are closed. The mountain can also be ascended from the Polish side coming from the Morskie Oko lake, which is a more spectacular route, but at the same brings more difficulties and exposure . The trail leads from Morskie Oko to Czarny Staw , and from there first along
60-541: A road from Zakopane was completed and named the Oswald Balzer Road. Since 1933 following the return of sovereignty , the lake has been owned by the Polish state. The charm of Morskie Oko has provided inspiration to many artists, including painters ( Walery Eljasz-Radzikowski , Leon Wyczółkowski , Stanisław Gałek), poets ( Wincenty Pol , Adam Asnyk , Kazimierz Przerwa-Tetmajer , Franciszek Nowicki , Jan Kasprowicz ), and composers ( Zygmunt Noskowski ). The lake
75-410: A series of couloirs , either those on the western slopes of Żabie Ridge or the very prominent 500 m (1,600 ft) high couloir and numerous smaller on the northern side. A folk explanation on the Slovak side says that the name comes from the plural word rysy meaning " lynxes ", although the habitat of the lynx does not extend above the timberline . The Hungarian name Tengerszem-csúcs and
90-565: The German name Meeraugspitze mean "eye-of-the-sea peak", from the glacial lake at the northern foot of the mountain, called "eye of the sea" ( Morskie Oko in Polish). The first known ascent was made in 1840, by Ede Blásy and his guide Ján Ruman-Driečny Sr. The first winter ascent was completed in 1884, by Theodor Wundt and Jakob Harvey. It is possible to reach the peak from the Slovak side, starting at Štrbské pleso and passing Chata pod Rysmi ,
105-529: The Polish Tourism and Local Lore Society ( PTTK ) stands on the moraine that closes the lake from the north. The hut is situated 1,405 meters above sea level and belongs to the oldest Tatra chalets . The hut is named after Stanisław Staszic , who explored the lake in 1805. It is a point of departure for hikes to Rysy and Szpiglasowa Przełęcz . Nearby is the Stare Schronisko ("Old Shelter"), originally
120-458: The Polish side. A powerful backer of the Polish cause was Count Wladyslaw Zamoyski . The decision is credited to Oswald Balzer , who represented the Galician government. Morskie Oko was "rediscovered" for tourism by Dr. Tytus Chałubiński in the mid-nineteenth century; the first shelter was built there in 1836 but burned down in 1865. A second shelter, built in 1874, burned down in 1898. In 1902,
135-429: The local Górale inhabitants. In winter, a short section of the journey is in an avalanche danger zone, and the area can remain cold and rainy even in summer. In the advent of its popularity, visitors have been forbidden from swimming in the lake or feeding the trout. The earliest documents in which Morskie Oko is mentioned date back to 1575. In 1637, the Polish king Władysław IV granted landowner Wladyslaw Nowobilski
150-517: The middle at 2,501 m (8,205 ft); the north-western at 2,500 m (8,202 ft); and the south-eastern at 2,473 m (8,114 ft). The north-western summit is the highest point of Poland and belongs to the Crown of Polish Mountains ; the other two summits are on the Slovak side of the border. Experts assume that the Polish and Slovak name Rysy , meaning "scratches" or "crevices", refers to
165-437: The northern slope and then the west wall. Due to its location, the trail might have snow cover until the second half of June and winter equipment might be required for the ascent then. The winter ascent from the Polish side is a serious climb requiring the right equipment ( crampons , ice axe ) and skills, often with a large avalanche threat. There have been serious avalanche events, including fatal ones. The average slope of
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#1732870024721180-669: The right to use pastures in the area. In 1824, during Partitions of Poland , Morskie Oko became private property, for the time being, when Zakopane estate, including the Dolina Rybiego Potoku, were purchased from the Austrian authorities by Emanuel Homolacs. At the end of the nineteenth century, a boundary dispute arose between Galicia and Hungary over property rights to the lake and adjoining area (the so-called "Morskie Oko dispute"). The Court of Conciliation in Graz ruled in favour of
195-572: The slope above the Czarny Staw is around 30 degrees. In the Rysa couloir , about 40 degrees to its half. In the upper part, the incline reaches up to 44 degrees. Since the accession of Poland and Slovakia to the Schengen Agreement in 2007, the border between the two countries may be easily crossed at this point like at any other. Emmanuel Adjei Too Many Requests If you report this error to
210-508: Was called "Rybie Jezioro" ("Fish Lake") due to its natural stock of fish, which are uncommon in Tatra lakes and ponds. In the clear depths of the water, one can easily notice trout - so-called "famine" trout - that live in the lake. The name "Morskie Oko" ("Sea Eye", "Eye of the Sea") is derived from an old legend, according to which the lake was connected to the sea via an underground passage. The hut of
225-574: Was one of the filming locations for 'The Formula', a short film directed by Emmanuel Adjei , starring musician Sevdaliza in 2015. Rysy Rysy ( Polish: [ˈrɨsɨ] ; Slovak: [ˈrisi] ; German : Meeraugspitze , Hungarian : Tengerszem-csúcs ) is a mountain in the crest of the High Tatras , eastern part of the Tatra Mountains , lying on the border between Poland and Slovakia . Rysy has three summits:
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