The earliest document mentioning the mountain dates back to the 16th century and mentions a copper mine located in the
Gyewant Mountain. The origin of the name remains unclear. It might originate from the German word
Gewand (rock formation); however, according to
Mariusz Zaruski, the name has its roots like many other names in the Tatras in a family name of
Goral people considering the fact that families bearing this name, which, however, could also derive from the German word, still lived in the area The first recorded ascent to Giewont's summit was undertaken in 1830 by Franciszek Herbich and
Aleksander Zawadzki.
Mariusz Zaruski completed the first recorded winter ascent in 1904. Nowadays, hiking trails lead to the peak of the mountain, making it a popular hiking destination. In 1901, a tall steel cross was erected on the summit of Great Giewont and quickly became a site of
religious pilgrimages as well as a national symbol. It also became a place for many to manifest their political views as was the case in 1982 during the
Martial law in Poland when a banner with the logo of the
Solidarity appeared on the cross. In 2007, the cross was inscribed on the register of historical monuments of the
Lesser Poland Voivodeship.
2019 thunderstorm The area frequently experiences thunderstorms. On 22 August 2019, four people were killed and over 100 were injured during an unexpected severe thunderstorm. Most of the victims were on Giewont, where lightning struck the metal cross atop the mountain as well as a metal chain near the summit, according to local media. Four people died in Poland, including two children, and one person died in
Slovakia. It was the worst disaster on the mountain since 1937. ==Cultural significance==