TATRA TEMPLE OF ICE

Tatra Temple of Ice is open daily from 9:00 to 16:15.
Free admission

The Tatra Temple of Ice is back – come and admire the stunning ice art!

Our most popular winter attraction, located at Hrebienok at an altitude of 1,285 metres, opened its doors to the public on 15th November 2024 and remains accessible until 21st April 2025. It is free of charge for everybody. 

Like every year, the theme was kept a secret until the last moment. Now, however, we can reveal it. The 12th edition of the Tatra Temple of Ice is dedicated to Pope John Paul II. The basilica of ice depicts the Wawel Cathedral and Church of St. Adalbert in Kraków. The theme was chosen to commemorate the 30th anniversary of John Paul II’s visit to the High Tatras. His words during that visit: “The Tatras do not divide, they unite!” resonate with us today more than ever… 

John Paul II John Paul II – Symbol of courage and love. A part of him lives within each of us.

We chose to portray the Wawel Cathedral and St. Adalbert’s Church in Kraków because of their close connection with Pope John Paul II. He was consecrated bishop in the Wawel Cathedral in 1958. Later, in 1963, he was appointed Archbishop of Kraków by Pope Paul VI, and a few years later, in 1967, he became a cardinal. In 1978, he was elected the 264th pope in the history of the Church. 

The Church of St. Adalbert also has a deep connection to John Paul II. This was where he preached and prayed for many years during his service in Kraków. The church is among the oldest in the city and in Poland itself. “Last-chance” masses are held here to this day, always at 9:37 p.m., in memory of John Paul II. They were introduced by Cardinal Dziwisz, the longtime aide and personal secretary of the then-pope. 

Even after becoming pope, John Paul II maintained close ties with Kraków, and when he came to Poland, he visited several significant sites in the city. Kraków is considered a “pilgrimage site” of John Paul II today, with St. Adalbert’s Church forming part of his spiritual legacy. 

Wawel Cathedral Hrebienok

After entering the Tatra Temple of Ice, visitors can see the western and southern façades and the three towers of the Wawel Cathedral: the Silver Bell Tower, the Clock Tower and the Sigismund Tower. Beneath the Clock Tower, there is a portrait of John Paul II. The single-hand clock on the tower displays the time of John Paul II’s death – 9:37 p.m. 

The atmosphere of the Temple has been made special this year again by allowing visitors to enter within its icy walls. They can walk through the gate onto the “courtyard” of St. Adalbert’s Church and capture stunning photos. The second entrance reveals a view of the Wawel Dragon – Smok. 

Tatra Temple of Ice in numbers

• 12th edition   
• 1,800 ice blocks   
• 225 tons of ice   
• 6 to 10 degrees Celsius below zero – Temple temperature:  
• 25-metre diameter dome-shaped cover protecting the Temple protected  
• 20 sculptors and carvers from 4 countries: Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland and Germany at work   
• 1 chief builder: Adam Bakoš   
• 11 concerts planned to be held in the Tatra Temple of Ice during the winter season 

Ceremonial opening of the Tatra Ice Dome

Author of photos: Marek Hajkovský

GALLERY OF TATRA ICE HOUSES

2023/2024 Westminsterské opátstvo (Westminster Abbey)
2022/2023 Baziliky Božieho hrobu v Jeruzaleme
2021/2022 Katedrála sv. Jakuba, Santiago de Compostela
2020/2021 Chrám Kristovho vzkriesenia v Petrohrade
2019/2020 Notre-Dame, Chrám Matky Božej v Paríži
2018/2019 Bazilika Svätého Petra s Berniniho kolonádou v Ríme
2017/2018 SagradaFamilia, Španielsko
2016/2017 Spišská Gotika
2015/2016 Baroko
2014/2015 Večne spievajú Lesy
2013/2014 Pražská Gotika

A cable car from the Starý Smokovec station will take you to Hrebienok near the Tatranský Dome. You can comfortably buy cable car tickets at the ticket office in Stary Smokovec or online at gopass.travel

Realizované s finančnou podporou Ministerstva cestovné ruchu a športu Slovenskej republiky.