Szklarka Waterfall

In the heart of the ancient Karkonosze Mountains, hidden among rustling forests and mossy boulders, the Szklarka Waterfall cascades to the ground in a wide cascade.
For centuries, it has attracted hikers who stopped here to refresh their souls with the sight of pristine nature. The sound of the falling water still evokes a tale:
Long ago, in a time when the mountains were inhabited by fairy-tale creatures, the tragic story of a girl named Śklarka unfolded here. She was the daughter of an excellent glassmaker, who produced some of the most beautiful glass in the Karkonosze Mountains. The good and noble Śklarka won the affection of Rubenczal himself – the Mountain Spirit, who watched over the harmony of this land. One day, their paths crossed in the forest wilderness, where the girl often saved injured animals, and the Mountain Spirit admired her great heart. One day, Śklarka, led by a deer, set off into the valley, unaware of the danger. She approached the lair of a dragon that had inhabited this area for centuries. At that very moment, Rubenczal saw the approaching threat. In desperation, he grabbed a stone and hurled it at the beast, but he missed, and the boulder struck the rocky streambed with a powerful impact, causing a huge crack. In an instant, the earth split, and the mountain stream crashed down, creating a waterfall. Śklarka staggered and fell, disappearing into the cold water.

A distraught Rubenczal carried the girl's body to her father, and in remembrance, the people named the waterfall that had formed that day Śklarka. Over time, this folk name was changed to Szklarka, and it has remained so ever since. The place has forever become a symbol of beauty, but also of the transience of life.