Explore the Jura!

Landscape Diary

Near the farm lies one of the Jura’s key defensive castles, ‘Pilcza Castle’, situated on the Eagles’ Nests Trail. Following this trail, you’ll reach the gates of Kraków, visiting Pieskowa Skała Castle and the charming Prądnik Valley along the way. Heading north-east, you can visit the largest castle in the Jura region – Ogrodzieniec – surrounded by numerous inselbergs, followed by Mirów, Bobolice and the Krasiński Palace in Złoty Potok, ending your journey in Częstochowa at Jasna Góra.

Rock formations

The Jura is, above all, characterised by its majestic rock formations, whose origins date back to the Mesozoic era millions of years ago. Today, the limestone outcrops and caves are the landscape’s hallmark of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland. The transformations these rocks have undergone over the ages mean that today we can admire the extraordinary variety of forms of these huge boulders nestled in the greenery. And there is plenty to admire!

Below is a map showing the boundaries of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland and nearby attractions.

The Rzędkowice Rocks

The Mirow Rocks

The Ogrodzieniec Rock Town in Podzamcze

The Zegarowe Mountains

Castles and forts

Throughout the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland, there are numerous fortified structures, castles, palaces, knightly watchtowers and even a fortified settlement. As limestone was the main raw material of the Jurassic region, these structures share a consistent and unique character. They tell their stories, standing proudly on the hills and blending picturesquely into the landscape. Many of them offer a wide range of events.

Below is a map of the boundaries of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland and nearby attractions.

Mirów Castle

Pilcza Castle in Smoleń

Ogrodzieniec Castle in Podzamcze

Bobolice Castle

Hills and fields

The Kraków-Częstochowa Upland covers an area of over 2,500 km², most of which consists of fields and woodland. The varied terrain, with its hills and valleys, makes this a remarkably diverse and, therefore, fascinating place to explore. Every bend in the road is exciting, revealing a new landscape to discover. The trails and footpaths in the Jura are countless, and the possibilities are endless.

Forests and deserts

The Jura’s ‘lungs’ are also a breath of fresh air for us. The vast expanses of forest that cover this varied terrain offer respite on sweltering summer days and allow us to immerse ourselves in the natural world, relaxing both body and mind in the best possible way. The diverse structure of the forests offers a variety of experiences, as well as the chance to encounter the various inhabitants of these ‘green homes’ along the way. A unique phenomenon is the vast expanse of the Błędowska Desert, a relatively new landscape formation on the map of the Jura. Some of these rich natural areas are protected as nature reserves.

Below is a map of the boundaries of the Kraków-Częstochowa Jura and nearby attractions.

The Błędowska Desert

The Ruskie Góry Nature Reserve

The Ojców National Park

The Eagles’ Nests Landscape Park