The Tatra Mountains, also known as the ‘Tatras’ or ‘Tatra’, are a mountain range which forms a natural border between Slovakia and Poland. The peaks of Gerlach (Slovakia) and Rysy (Poland) represent the highest points in each country.

Below we will take a photo tour of this beautiful range through the lens of Polish photographer Jakub Polomski. He has fond memories of the Tatra Mountains as they were often the subject of his work when he was first getting into photography.

We will also sprinkle some facts about this beautiful and biologically diverse range throughout the stunning visuals. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

The Tatras occupy an area of 750 km² (290 mi²), of which the greater part (600 km²/232 mi²) lies in Slovakia, with the highest peak Gerlach at 2,655 m (8710 ft), located north of Poprad. In turn, summit Rysy (2,499 m/8200 ft), located in the north-western part of Tatras, is the highest mountain in Poland. [Source]

 

 

 

 

The Tatras lie in the temperate zone of Central Europe. They are an important barrier to the movements of air masses. Their mountainous topography causes one of the most diverse climates in that region. [Source]

 

 

 

 

Temperatures range from ?40 °C (?40 °F) in the winter to 33 °C (91 °F) in warmer months. Temperatures also vary depending on altitude and sun exposure of a given slope. Temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F) last for 192 days on the summits. [Source]

 

 

 

 

The Mountains have a diverse variety of plant life. They are home to more than 1,000 species of vascular plants, about 450 mosses, 200 liverworts, 700 lichens, 900 fungi, and 70 slime moulds. There are five climatic-vegetation belts in the Tatras. [Source]

 

 

 

 

The Tatra Mountains are home to many species of animals: 54 tardigrades, 22 turbellarians, 100 rotifers, 22 copepods, 162 spiders, 81 molluscs, 43 mammals, 200 birds, 7 amphibians and 2 reptiles. [Source]

 

 

 

 

The Polish part of the Tatras was formally declared a national park in 1955. The lower and middle parts of the range are cloaked in forest. [Source]