20 kilometers from Częstochowa and 90 kilometers from Krakow is an enchanted land. It attracts some people with its wonderful nature (including a real desert), lovers of competitive sports with rocks and caves.
One thing is certain - in the Częstochowa Upland, specifically in the Janów commune, you cannot be bored. The commune is located on the Trail of the Eagles' Nests. 34 locks are the magnet here. The most impressive are of course Wawell or Pieskowa Skała, although Ogrodzieniec Castle in Podzamcze does not lack momentum. The only problem is that today the castle is a ruin, supposedly the most magnificent in Poland.
The fact that even the ruins are attractive is evidenced by the fact that this is where Andrzej Wajda placed the action of the film Zemsta. Today, colorful souvenir stalls are set up inside the walls, precisely embedded in limestone rock blocks.
What is left of the castle in Mirów is not teeming with merchant life, which does not mean that it is not worth stopping here. From here, a pedestrian (or bicycle) route leads to the castle in Bobolice, which, since it fell into private hands last year, is slowly starting to take castle shape.
Active
The Jura can be explored on foot, on a bicycle, in a saddle … or while sitting comfortably in a cart harnessed to the rapid steeds of the Jurassic Horse Caravan. I highly recommend the last option on a cart for a large group of friends, so you can easily combine sightseeing in the area with a social picnic. Cost about PLN 15 per person.
Apart from bicycle routes, horse riding routes are marked out here everywhere. The longest one leads from Kraków to Częstochowa (the horses change along the way).
You can also play cowboy on the spot. In the Wiking stable in Złoty Potok (at ul. Kościuszki 8/1, tel. 034 32-78-119, 0607-989-228) a horse can be hired for an hour, for the whole day, for a 2-day and 4-day rally.
Many amateurs of rock climbing come to the Janów commune. If you are not experienced, it is better to get to know this sport in the company of professionals. The members of the Częstochowa Speleoklub help both with climbing and with penetrating the caves. Amateurs can provide the appropriate equipment.
Culinary
The first blue trout, or rather their roe, wrapped in moss and covered with ice, was brought here from America in 1881. It was put into a pond, now called the American, and large-scale farming began. Is thatZłoty Potok, where the oldest trout farm in Europe is located, was sent to the most exquisite tables of the Old Continent.
The cuisine of the Kmicic hotel is famous here for the most delicious of trout in almond coating.
Tourist information
Jurassic Communities Association, 42 440 Ogrodzieniec , pl. Wolności 42, phone / fax (032) 673-33-64, http://www.jura.info.pl/, e-mail: [email protected]
Noclegi
Złoty Potok gm. Janów
Hotel Kmicic, ul. Maj. Wrzoska 35, tel. (034) 327-80-64, 327-82-51, http://www.hotelkmicic.pl/,
Złoty Potok camping, ul. Maj. Wrzoska, tel. (034) 329-10-87
Campsite over the Americans, ul. Kościuszki
For hikers and cyclists
Hiking and biking trails
(bikes for rent at the Kmicic hotel)
Trail of the Eagles' Nests (red) 163 km (Częstochowa Kraków)
The Jurassic Stronghold Trail (blue) 161 km (Mstów Rudawa)
The Zamonit Trail T. Belke (yellow) 95 km (Poraj Gołonóg)
Trail of the 7th Infantry Division September 1939 (green) 31 km (Częstochowa Janów)
Trail of the Gorzowskie Mountains (black) 20 km (Julianka Ostrężnik)
Jurassic Bicycle Trail of the Eagles' Nests (red) 64 km (Częstochowa Morsko)
II Jurassic Bicycle Trail of Zygmunt Krasiński (green) 70 km (Częstochowa Myszków)
Jurassic Trail of the Kmicic Hotel 23 km (called the Kmicice loop)