The history of Bachledówka

Bachledówka is a place with an extraordinary history. It is hard to believe that less than 100 years ago, only forests and fields reigned here, and the deserted hill was famous for the legends of a certain Bachledo passed through the huts – a robber who in an impenetrable thicket The trees had its hiding place.

The beginnings of the new history of this place are related to the life of two wealthy ladies from the eastern borderlands of Poland, probably from Lithuania. Maria Bułhak-Prińska and Helena Kowieńska-Jarząbek née Prussan came in these directions, fleeing the repressions of the revolution time. Duchess Bułhak-Prińska purchased the property in Bachledówka in 1933. Due to the difficult living conditions, she decided to return to Zakopane. Before that, however, she forged the sign of the cross in stone on her possession, thus expressing the desire to offer her estates to God.

Her intention came true. Today, in the place of the duchess’s property, there is a church. The second resident of Bachledówka at its beginning was Helena Kowieńska, who, after the death of her first husband, married Władysław Jarząbek, a highlander from Czerwienny. They lived together on the hill. A secluded place was a convenient space for the activities of the guerrillas of World War II. Weapons and radio stations were hidden here. Unfortunately, after the denunciation, the Gestapo searched Bachledówka. At that time, Helena, dragged out of the house and pushed to the snow-covered ground, vowed to God to devote all her property to him, as long as she survived happily and the partisan items hidden in the hive were not found.
The gendarmes did not discover anything, and in the place of the promise, Helena put up a votum – a stone chapel. After World War II, efforts were made to bring the Pauline Fathers to Bachledówka, who finally came here in 1955 and received the house of Helena Jarząbek, which, over time, was renovated and expanded a leisure and retreat place.
Two personalities were hosted here, so important for the contemporary history of Poland. Primate Stefan Wyszyński was a guest at Bachledówka for seven consecutive years. With his person, he brought an atmosphere of warmth and joy, uniting the local residents around him.

Father Primate, who was on vacation in the Pauline house in Bachledówka, was often visited by the then Metropolitan of Krakow, and later Pope John Paul II. In addition, Karol Wojtyła visited Bachledówka during his summer holidays, during which he catechized youth oasis groups and actively provided priestly ministry to the local community. Karol Wojtyła, having the opportunity to stay with Primate Wyszyński, devoted his free time to joint conversations strengthening faith and spiritual mission. The friendship of these two distinguished church dignitaries was permanently deepened, which resulted in their tireless pastoral work and a historical mission in the face of difficult moments in the fate of Poland and the world. As residents associated with Bachledówka, we can be proud of the small contribution of this place to the great events of the modern world, because ‘silence is a great element in which great things are born’ by Thomas Carlyle.

The photos and texts come from the website bachledowka.com, where you can also find additional information.