Świętokrzyski National Park

The Świętokrzyskie Mountains are the oldest and the lowest mountains in Poland, characterised by unique geological features to be found nowhere else in Europe. Świętokrzyski National Park occupies the highest ridge of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains, called the Łysogóry. The Park is situated about 20 km east of the city of Kielce. It covers the entire Łysogóry Ridge and parts of Klonowskie and Pokrzywiańskie Ridges.

The highest peaks in the Park are Mount Łysica (612 metres above sea level) situated in the western part of the Łysogóry, and Mount Łysa Góra (595 metres above sea level) with a former Benedictine monastery, which towers over the eastern part of the ridge. The slopes of the Łysogóry ridge are covered by the so-called gołoborza (screes): vast areas of rock rubble formed by the weathering of Cambrian quartzite. Tourists trekking in the Łysogóry tread the oldest and the hardest rocks in Poland. As they pick a splinter of quartzite from under their feet, they are touching a petrified piece of the sea bed from 500 million years ago.

The Świętokrzyskie Mountains are famous for their natural fir woods. Dominant tree species include fir, but also oak and beech. This type of mixed forest can only be found in Poland in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains and certain parts of the Roztocze hill range. Its endemic character is emphasised by its Latin name Abietetum polonicum. The first artist to extol the beauty of the Świętokrzyskie forests was an eminent Polish novelist Stefan Żeromski – the author of “Puszcza Jodłowa” (The Fir Forest) prose poem.

Świętokrzyski National Park offers 5 tourist trails:

Blue trail: Nowa Słupia – Święty Krzyż (Łysa Góra);
Red trail: Święta Katarzyna – Trzcinka;
Green trail: Zagórze (Pomarańczowy Stok) – Psary Podlesie;
Yellow trail: Klonów – Bukowa Góra;
Black trail: Podchełmie – Chełmowa Góra – Pokrzywianka Górna.

The Łysogóry ridge is a land of legends. Every Polish kid has heard of mysterious Witches’ Sabbaths held on Mount Łysa Góra. The myth of Łysa Góra has its factual roots: the mountain top is surrounded with nearly 1.5 km-long wall built of Cambrian quartzite. In the ancient times, the peak was probably a place of worship. The inner area enclosed by the wall could once witness magical pagan rituals. According to the legend, witches headed to their Sabbaths on Mount Łysa Góra riding broomsticks or carts pulled by goats. Today it is hard to believe that the belief in the existence of witches in Europe continued for more than three hundred years. The last witch trial in Poland was held in 1775: 14 women were convicted of witchcraft and burnt at the stake.

Accommodation:

“Dom Turysty” tourist hostel in Święta Katarzyna;
Youth hostel in Nowa Słupia;
Private homes and rooms for rent, and holiday centres in Nowa Słupia and Święta Katarzyna.

Tourist attractions in the vicinity: