Somehow, this steeply peaked, pyramid-shaped mountain rising out of Dolina Gąsienicowa has captured the imagination of poets and artists like perhaps no other in the Polish Tatras. Among the painters who couldn't resist its appeal were Walery Eljasz, Stanisław Witkiewicz, Rafał Malczewski, and Zenon Pokrywczyński, while pianist Wojciech Kilar was compelled to write a symphonic poem titled Kościelec 1909 to commemorate composer Mieczysław Karłowicz, who died on its slopes in a 1909 avalanche. The way up is difficult and requires quite a bit of scrambling; reach the summit from Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy (black trail, 1h20) or the Murowaniec mountain hut (black trail to Zielony Staw Gąsienicowy, then blue trail up to Karb and black trail up to Kościelec, 2h20). Once at the top, you will have a marvellous view of Orla Perć and the entire Gąsienicowa Valley, including all its lakes.