The Swietokrzyski National Park was established in 1950, encompassing the highest range of the Swietokrzyskie Mountains including the summit of Lysica. Earlier, from the 1920s, on the territory of thehe area included the Chelmowa Mountain, Holy Cross and Lysica reserves. The area of the park is 7626 hectares. The Swietokrzyskie Mountains are among the oldest mountains in Poland. They were formed mainly from sedimentary rocks during the Caledonian orogenesis. They are characterized by low altitudes and gentle slopes. The park is almost completely covered with forests, mainly beech and fir forests. Larch, oak, lime, sycamore and pine trees also appear from them. Of the smaller plants, you can find protected bear garlic, mountain dandelion, golden-headed lily or European creeper. The fauna of the Swietokrzyskie PN is also rich, with more than 4,000 species. Here you can see, for example, roe deer, foxes, wild boar and elk. The park is also home to 150 species of birds, including eagles, falcons, hawks, buzzards, as well as black storks and owls. Also interesting is the presence of species that are post-glacial relicts, such as some species of snails. Swietokrzyski PN is also attractive because of the numerous monuments located there. While in the park, it's worth seeing such places as the monasteries at Holy Cross and St. Catherine's, numerous churches or the ruins of the castle in Bodzentyn. Six hiking trails run through the park, and bicycles are prohibited in almost the entire park.
01.06.2014
