The anomaly is a sensory illusion caused by the surrounding landscape, not a localized break in the laws of physics.
Drivers often perform a 'neutral gear' test here to observe their vehicle appearing to roll toward the higher elevation point.
The illusion is most effective when the surrounding trees and buildings prevent an accurate view of the true horizon.
Geologically, the road follows a gentle downward slope that the brain misinterprets due to the steeper incline of the nearby hillsides.
It is one of several known 'gravity hills' scattered across Europe, often featured in local folklore as magnetic or anomalous zones.
The Place of Gravitational Anomaly in Karpacz is a section of road where an optical illusion makes stationary objects, such as cars or poured water, appear to roll uphill. Located on Strażacka Street, the site is a popular local curiosity caused by the surrounding terrain's topography relative to the road's gradient. This phenomenon is a classic example of a gravity hill, where the horizon line is obscured or tilted by the landscape, tricking the human brain's perception of slope. Visitors frequently test the effect by placing a bottle on the road surface to observe it moving against the perceived incline. The phenomenon is entirely visual and relies on specific viewing angles to be perceived correctly. It is situated in the Karkonosze mountain range area of Poland.
From the bottom of the incline looking upward, where the background landscape most effectively obscures the horizon.
Bring a water bottle to pour on the asphalt; observing the water flow provides the clearest evidence of the optical illusion.
Perform the test from both directions of the street to better understand how the perspective shift affects your perception of the slope.
Ensure your vehicle is in neutral with the handbrake ready before testing the rolling effect.
Do not attempt the 'neutral gear' car test during heavy traffic, as the road remains open to local vehicles.
Accessible year-round, though snow accumulation in winter can obscure the road surface and diminish the effect.
