The Świętokrzyskie region is rich in cultural and natural values. Here are located one of the oldest and lowest mountains in Poland - Holy Cross Mountains, preserved urban complexes, medieval settlements. Nearly 70% of the area is covered by various forms of protection in connection with occurring specimens of protected flora and fauna. Sandomierz enjoys unflagging popularity as a tourist destination.
Holy Cross Mountains is a mountain massif located in the south-eastern part of the country. Its highest peak is Łysica (613 m a.s.l.) in the Łysogór band.
The Świętokrzyskie Mountains seen from a distance are a small hill. For millions of years they were destroyed by flowing waters, rains, snow and ice, which caused their significant reduction.
They are very often visited by tourists, because you can find here an unusual variety of rocks, landforms, as well as castle ruins and monuments.
Łysogóry is the highest range of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains. It is made of very hard quartzite sandstone, but still freezing and thawing water in the rock crevices caused significant damage (thanks to which gołoborza was formed).
Rocks are the most important wealth of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains (the most valuable are limestone, from which cement and lime are made). Raj Cave is considered one of the most beautiful in Poland. Tourists can see refined stalagmites and stalactites. Sightseeing (with the help of a guide) is possible in January to November, from 10am to 5pm. The cave is closed on Mondays.
An interesting place that will surely be remembered by everyone is the Castle in Chęciny - the symbol of this city and one of the most interesting places in the Świętokrzyskie Province. In 1607 it was burned by Zebrzydowski's rebels, then rebuilt by the staroste Branicki. It was later plundered, and attempts at reconstruction were ruined by the Swedish invasion in 1707. It towers over the town of Chęciny, near Kielce. Nearby, there is the yellow tourist trail from the Wierna River to Chęciny. It is divided into two parts: upper and lower lock. An interesting fact is that film scenes for "Silence" and "Pan Wołodyjowski" were filmed here. Tourists have at their disposal a castle tower from which one can admire the unique and picturesque landscape.
The area of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains is a water department of the Vistula tributaries, of which the Kamienna and Nida catchments occupy the largest area. Opatówka, Koprzywianka, Czarna Konecka and Czarna Staszowska are responsible for partial drainage of the mountain area. North of the Klonowski Range is the main hydrographic node.
The average annual temperature is in the range of 6-7 ° C. Annual average rainfall: 650-900mm. Snow cover lasts about 55-90 days a year.
This is a great place for hiking both by experts on the subject and amateurs. Thanks to close contact with nature, you can relax and take a break from everyday life. Landscape parks are also worth seeing. There are five of them: Cisowsko-Orłowiński, Chęcińsko-Kielecki, Suchedniowsko-Oblęgorski, Sieradowicki and Jeleniowski. We can admire mountain ridges, rock exposures and places of exploitation of rock raw materials.
