We arrived in magical Lanckorona, the crown of the area (land - country and krone - crown), over 20 years ago and were lost forever. First, there was my own gallery at 101a. Ceramic birds, leaves, bowls, angels, clouds, unicorns, and mugs landed there. Then, a few steps later, we came across our Ark. One of the most beautiful and oldest houses that survived the village fire. We created a café-cum-institution here – Cafe Arka, where you can drop in for breakfast, delicious coffee, homemade cake, the now-famous pierogi, and in the evenings, listen to live local bands. As the café gathered a growing number of fans, I took up a new passion: creating spectacular accommodations at a low price. The first two houses are beloved by guests, so now Podgórska is opening its doors. The cottage is located a few steps from our café and a short walk from the market square. I've prepared two bedrooms for four people, a living room with a kitchen, a bathroom, a terrace, and a charming garden to hide from the world.

Come to Krakow. Have a coffee in the garden or at Arka Cafe, browse art galleries, take a walk along the Aleja Cichych Whispers (Alley of Quiet Whispers), and admire the Tatra Mountains from Lanckorońska Góra.

Our cottage is approximately 50 m² and is located in a quiet part of Lanckorona, just a few minutes' walk from the market square. Inside, you'll find:

A living area with a comfortable sofa, a large table, and a kitchenette with a dishwasher, induction hob, oven, and refrigerator, perfect for cooking, eating, chatting, and simply being together.

Two bedrooms – one with a large, comfortable double bed, the other smaller, with two single beds.

A bathroom – small, but cozy and functional, with a walk-in shower.

A terrace and a small garden – perfect for morning coffee and evening conversations over wine.

Make yourself at home and cook like a pro, or skip the pots altogether. A fully equipped kitchen is at your disposal. There's also a round table for four.

If cooking isn't your thing, we invite you to our Arka Cafe, just a few steps from the cottage. Come in for breakfast with delicious Italian coffee, afternoon tea with homemade cake, and lunch for soup and delicious pierogi with various fillings. Also, try the beer from the Szczyrzycki Cistercian Brewery.

For baked goods, head to the Siwek Bakery. Delicious bread, crispy crusts, unique Lanckorońskie rolls, pretzels, and well-stuffed doughnuts.

Lanckorona is a prime example of how the rush of time sometimes gives cities and towns a wide berth. It's small enough that you don't need to create elaborate sightseeing plans or plan out must-see destinations, but it has so much charm and points of interest that it's enough for a few days of strolling. The entire town looks a bit like a living open-air museum. Here, an old whitewashed cottage, there, the ruins of a 14th-century castle, and around the corner, a villa that hosted Józef Piłsudski, Józef Beck, Ignacy Mościcki, and later Karol Wojtyła.

Start by heading to the Museum Chamber, right by the market square. The exhibition itself is modest but interesting, authentically presenting the history of Lanckorona, archaeological excavations from the castle grounds, objects evoking the daily lives of its residents, and, most importantly, a model of the market square from before the 19th-century fire. It's here in the Chamber that you'll meet true enthusiasts who know all of Lanckorona's secrets, stories, courtyards, and all the local cats. They'll be happy to show you paths to interesting places. It's also worth taking advantage of guided tours, such as "The Daily Life of the Ancient Residents of Lanckorona" and "The Secrets of Lanckorona's Ancient Architecture."

With or without a guide, it's worth climbing Lanckorońska Mountain (550 meters above sea level), which towers over the city. At its peak, the ruins of a fourteenth-century castle remain, one of many built at the behest of Casimir the Great. On its slopes, there are two viewpoints from which, on clear days, you can even see a panorama of the Tatra Mountains and Diablak, or Babia Góra, looking south. Looking north, you can see Kraków's Kościuszko Mound. The paths and trails around Lanckorońska Mountain total 10 km, lead through varied terrain, and have charming names dating back to the 1920s, such as Lovers' Alley and Quiet Whispers' Alley.

It's more than certain that you'll stumble upon a village square with wooden architecture. Unique and the only one of its kind in Poland. Here, you'll discover angels, beautiful ceramics, and cafes, and you'll marvel at how people can live so peacefully, in such a timeless place.

A few steps from the market square, at our Arka Cafe, you can enjoy more than just delicious coffee with cinnamon and ginger or a good loose-leaf tea. Year-round, we host exhibitions, concerts, wine tastings, and dances, and in January, we host the annual "Interhuman Caroling." On your way from the cafe, you'll pass our own Artistic Ceramics Gallery. Here, you can purchase decorative and functional works by myself, my wife, and our friends – sculptors, painters, and ceramists.

From here, the smell of warm bread will lead you to the Siwek bakery, with over 100 years of tradition. Buy some bread and, of course, a Lanckorońska roll.

Lanckorona is getting older, but it's not resting on its laurels. For several years now, events have been held here: the Easter Fair, the St. John's Fair, and, most interestingly, the Angel in the Town Festival – an event that has been held in the village for 10 years.