Funding
“Establishment of the Nature and Education Centre ‘Brama w Gorce’ in Waksmund” (Polish: „Utworzenie Centrum Przyrodniczo-Edukacyjnego ,,Brama w Gorce" w Waksmundzie”)
From 1 March 2019 to 30 June 2023, the company Brama w Gorce sp. z o.o. carried out, under a grant agreement concluded with the Management Board of the Małopolska Voivodeship, the project entitled “Establishment of the Nature and Education Centre ‘Brama w Gorce’ in Waksmund” under the Regional Operational Programme of the Małopolska Voivodeship for 2014-2020, Priority Axis 6 Regional Heritage, Measure 6.3 Development of the Region's Internal Potential, Sub-measure 6.3.1 Development of Local Resources of Subregions – spr
Why did we carry out the project?
The project responded to a social need arising from changing preferences in spending free time, the search for active forms of recreation combined with education, and modern nature and education facilities that make use of the region's natural and landscape resources.
Who did we carry out the project for?
The project was aimed primarily at tourists visiting the region and at residents, including children and school-age youth – approximately 100,000 people per year in total.
What did we want to achieve by carrying out the project?
The aim of the project was to diversify the tourist offer of the Municipality of Nowy Targ by establishing the Education and Nature Centre in Waksmund, contributing to higher employment in the municipality and lower unemployment. As a result, the attractiveness and competitiveness of the region were increased on the basis of its natural and cultural resources, and conditions conducive to employment growth were improved.
At the same time, the assumption of the project was to create a facility enabling educational activity in the broad sense – a place for a living nature lesson, which allows users to observe the natural and landscape values of the Mały Kowaniec stream valley, including from a gallery in the treetops, while preserving natural values and respecting the nature protection regulations in force. In this way, visitors to the Centre can have direct contact with nature – discovering the world of plants (among other things by observing all the layers of the forest) and the world of animals (among other things thanks to the underground passage with burrows).
How much did the project cost according to the approved budget?
-Total costs: Over PLN 24 million
-Eligible costs: PLN 7,999,580.37
-Co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund: PLN 5,399,716.73 (67.50% of eligible costs).
What did we do as part of the project?
As part of the project, the “Nature and Education Centre ‘Brama w Gorce’ in Waksmund” was established, comprising:
- an observation tower 30 m high with a café,
- an observation platform in the treetops,
- 2 footbridges over the stream (a large footbridge and a small footbridge),
- connections to utilities,
- a pavilion with a multimedia exhibition,
- land development (roads, green areas, a monitoring system, gates, a park of models
- of animals, a nature and physical recreation playground, reinforcement of the ford with a stone riprap).
What are the results of the project?
The most important results of the project involving the establishment of the “Nature and Education Centre ‘Brama w Gorce’ in Waksmund” are:
1. Development of the natural and landscape resources in the municipality, taking into account their potential and adapting them innovatively to tourist and recreational needs.
2. Creation of a new tourist and recreational offer that stands out on the Małopolska market, adapted to different age groups and to the needs of people with disabilities.
3. Increased competitiveness of the Municipality of Nowy Targ.
4. Increased employment in the Municipality of Nowy Targ, both directly through jobs at the Centre and indirectly through the diversification of the new offer on the local market.
5. The “Brama w Gorce” complex provides tourists with a variety of forms of activity:
- education – a stay at the Brama w Gorce Nature and Education Centre,
- relaxation – a forest and garden path, a path in the treetops, sky-high viewing terraces,
- entertainment – a children's playground,
- biological regeneration – a course of air baths through the natural comprehensive SPAAA / SPAT = Aero- Aroma - Aquam - Spa, in the Brama w Gorce complex,
- a path in the treetops and sky-high terraces as inhalation spots, with a psychosomatic effect,
- sightseeing – an area modified for educational exploration,
- self-fulfilment – educational pavilions.
Photos: Company archive, updated: June 2023
The project entitled “Establishment of the Nature and Education Centre ‘Brama w Gorce’ in Waksmund” is co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund under the Regional Operational Programme of the Małopolska Voivodeship for 2014-2020, Priority Axis 6 Regional Heritage, Measure 6.3 Development of the Region's Internal Potential, Sub-measure 6.3.1 Development of Local Resources of Subregions – spr
Brama w Gorce officially opened!
On 19 June 2023, the official opening of the “Nature and Education Centre ‘Brama w Gorce’ in Waksmund” took place, co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund under the Regional Operational Programme of the Małopolska Voivodeship for 2014-2020, as part of the project entitled “Establishment of the Nature and Education Centre ‘Brama w Gorce’ in Waksmund”. The ceremony was attended by members of parliament from the Podhale region, many local government representatives, representatives of various institutions and the company's shareholders.
Photos: archive of podhale24.pl and the Company archive
We invite you to Brama w Gorce!
Since 30 April 2023, we have been welcoming you to the Brama w Gorce Nature and Education Centre, co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund under the Regional Operational Programme of the Małopolska Voivodeship for 2014-2020, as part of the project entitled “Establishment of the Nature and Education Centre ‘Brama w Gorce’ in Waksmund”. This innovative undertaking is intended for those who enjoy active recreation and contact with nature. The greatest attraction of the investment is the path in the treetops running just above the Mały Kowaniec stream. You can also admire the Gorce nature from two observation towers. There is also an interactive exhibition in the nature and education pavilion to see.
