The only one in Krakowsko-Częstochowska Upland and, at the same time, polish national park of the smallest area. Despite this, among the most beautiful and valuable natural landscapes in the country. The park was established on the 14th of January 1956 (as a sixth national park in Poland) to guard the natural landscape of the Prądnik Valley.
Ojcowski National Park covers the central part of the Prądnik Valley (12 km long- from Pieskowa Skała to Prądnik Korzkiewski), lower and central part of the Sąspowska Valley (5 km long) and adjacent parts of the Jurassic plateau. It s area, after the changes done in 1997, increased from 1890 hectars to 2145,62 hectars.
Through the Ojcowski National Park few touristic trails of summary length reaching 35 km, are running.
The 19th centrury health resort, located at the bottom of the Prądnik Valley, in the heart of Ojcowski National Park. Inside the town the following lie: the 14th century Ruins of Kazimierz s Castle, Museum of Nature and health centers- Hotel pod Łokietkiem and Hotel pod Kazimierzem.
Ojców is a great base for the local attractions: Łokietko s Grotto (Grota Łokietka), The Dark Cave (Jaskinia Ciemna), The Cracow s Gate (Brama Krakowska), Deotyma s Needle (Igła Deotymy) and much more.
Located around 125 meters above the bottom of Sąspowska Valley it is the biggest of all caves known to exist in Ojców National Park. It s length is 320 m and drop- 7 m. It consists of few corridors and two big halls: Rycerska (Knights ) and Sypialnia (The Bedroom) and two smaller chambers. The ticket office stands just by the entrance to the grotto, that is also where the guides are waiting. The Grotto is opened from may to october, 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. (shorter in autumn). The sightseeing of the grotto is possible only with the guide.
The cave is recognized as the biggest one in Krakowsko-Częstochowska Upland in respect of chamber size. It is one of the most important archeological sites in Poland. The first traces of humans in The Dark Cave have around 125 thousands years. He founded his habitat at the entrance to the cave. This place is called Oborzysko. The cave, including Oborzysko, is 230 m long.
The Dark Cave actually consist of one huge chamber, 80 m long, 20 m wide and 10 m high, which tapers at the end and becomes so called Tunnel. The cave is habitated by the bats, moths, white centipedes. The air temperature is about 7-8°C.
The central part of a chamber is filled with stalagmites, whose height reach to 1 m. The ceiling is covered by many stalactites. In 1924 the cave was put on the monuments list.
The Castle, like the one in Ojców, was an important part of the fortifications defending the merchant route from Crocow to Silesia. Today it is one of the most beautiful and monuments of polish renaissance and a great attraction in the Nests Trail.
The castle is the best preserved defensive residence in Kraków-Częstochowa Jura and the only one which serves as a museum. As a result of castle s turbulent history, the historical interiors were not preserved and the art collection s of the owners of the castle, were scattered. All of the exhibits, presented in the museum, are the property of the Wawel Royal Castle.
The castle is open for visitors all year round.
Korzkiew Cultural Park is a perfect complement and extension of tourist and cultural offer of the Ojcowski National Park. It can be a place of rest for the inhabitants of nearby Krakow and tourists from across the Poland, and even the world.
Area of Korzkiew Cultural Park is not limited with the castle hill and a park in Korzkiew, but includes the entire village and surrounding countryside.
Korzkiew castle - knight s fortress from the fourteenth century returns slowly to its glory. Already reconstructed to a large extent will accommodate a mini museum - reconstruction of the manor kitchen, restaurant, hotel and function rooms.
At the foot of the castle of the nineteenth century lies a park complex with well-preserved stands of old trees more fully serve local residents and visitors who come here in large numbers. Just before World War II there was a manor in Korzkiew Park. Today only the outlines of foundations remained. The current owner plans to reconstruct the building.
There are also plans to rebuild the demolished buildings of the brewery and the inn and save the old cottages and create a mini open-air museum on the back of the park - next to the remains of the quarry. There will be built a summer stage used for a variety of artistic events.
www.zamek.com.pl
Horse farm „Botoja" is located in Korzkiew, only 12 kilometers from the center of Cracow. This terrains are well known of their unique fauna and flora or fresh air and crystal clear water.
www.botoja.pl
