Things to see and do Parc National D’ojców

This cave, the most interesting in the area, covers about 1,000 meters of underground labyrinths and is divided into several rooms with evocative names, such as the Ossuary where the remains of a bear were found. Evidence of Neolithic life has also been discovered here. Today it hosts a community of bats and cave spiders. Don't worry, no one has disappeared yet to be nibbled by the creatures of the night. The visit is well supervised and safe, even with children (they will love it).

Stretching into the dark depths of the earth over 300 meters long, this cave gets its name from the huge, huge, noisy (and a bit stinky) colony of bats that live there. To see them, you have to follow the signs and get a guide. Unlike the other two caves, which belong to the Ojców National Park, this one belongs to an individual, Mr. Zygmunt Ferdek (in Jerzmanowice), whom you should call for visits.

Also called the Neanderthal House, it is certainly the pearl of the tourist attractions of the nature park. The reason is simple, this cave is among the most important archaeological sites in Poland and certainly the most important in the field of prehistoric studies. Traces of human occupation dating back several hundred thousand years have been found here. The rock formation is also of interest, not far from the entrance you can see massive stalagmites, with the most picturesque shapes, one of which looks like a lion.

It is one of the most famous caves in Poland. Sobre, without stalactites or stalagmites, attracts visitors by its location in the heart of Ojców Park, and by its legendary aura. According to the legend, Władyslaw Łokietek, king of Poland, pursued by the Czech king Wacław II, would have remained there hiding six weeks and owes his protection to a spider whose canvas had the entrance to the cave. That's why the entrance of the cave is closed by a grid whose motive reminds a spider web. The cave is 270 meters long.

A pretty little wooden chapel from 1901 stands above the Pradnik River. In the time of Tsar Nicholas II, the inhabitants of Ojców, not being allowed to build religious buildings on land, circumvented this ban by installing the chapel on the water. This great gesture that mixes rebellion and faith is a story that Poles like to tell themselves, but in reality, the construction was of little consequence in this remote region. The result is still delightful and makes for great photo memories!

This picturesque stone castle was built by Casimir the Great in the 14th^century , probably on the site of a former^13th-century fortress, which is said to have served as a refuge for his father, Władysław Łokietek during the struggles for the Krakow throne. To honor his father's memory, Casimir named the castle "Ojców", a name derived from the word father: ojciec. Destroyed and looted during the Swedish invasion, it subsequently had several owners.

The ruins stand on a rocky spur that dominates the surrounding countryside.

This rocky escarpment at the edge of the road stands out in the rather irregular landscape of the national park. It was placed there by chance, as if by design, at the foot of the Pieskowa Skała castle, and it seems to serve an obscure purpose. According to the legend, the club was placed there by a supernatural force: it owes its name to a sorcerer who challenged the devil to knock over a rock. Obviously, the devil had no difficulty in accomplishing this feat with this specimen, which is nearly 25 m high.

The origin of this castle is also due to Casimir the Great, in the 14th century. Initially Gothic, it took on a Renaissance appearance in the 16th century thanks to its owners, the Szafraniec family, who wanted to turn it into a small Wawel. It has undergone many destructions, but each time it was restored, and today it is close to its original state.

It is home to a museum, which presents numerous objects, paintings and furniture from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.

This museum, housed in one of the two white buildings that face each other next to the village's paid parking lot, exhibits collections of geology, archaeology, zoology and botany of the park. From there, there are marked paths that lead to the different natural curiosities (rocks, caves, gorges). It is an entertaining stop for those who want to discover what they are dealing with in the park, but certainly not necessary to enjoy it.