Krakow-Czestochowa Upland, Poland

Rank : 9.5 (average on 2 votes)

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Coordinates : 50.614665, 19.475212 (Open in Google Maps)

Subjects : Krakowsko - Czestochowska Upland "Jura" is one of the most beautiful parts of Poland. The unique charm of the Jury is determined by the beautiful, varied landscape of the "Orle Gniazda" castles, limestone outliers, picturesque ravines, rocky hills and rich vegetation. "Orle Gniazda" erected from limestone on the tops of limestone hills, beautifully integrated into the surrounding rocks. They were created mainly during the reign of Casimir the Great. They created a line of castles and defense guards on the state border, today most of them are picturesque ruins - Olsztyn, Ogrodzieniec, Mirów, Bobolice (rebuilt), Morsko, Rabsztyn, Smole?, Ojców. Caves - there are about 900 of them here. Birds - over 170 species, many owls, including rarely - eagle owls, lesser spotted eagles, hawks are commonly found. Mammals - there are 50 species: elk (in the Dulowska Forest) and beavers (in Pilica near Szczekociny, Młyny near Kostkowice), squirrels, martens, deer, foxes and wild boars. Particularly notable among mammals are bats, of which 17 species live in the Krakow-Cz?stochowa Upland. Fauna - There are 700 species of beetles, 250 species of bees and almost 100 species of mollusks. There are as many as 1200 species of butterflies from 25 families. There are 14 species of amphibians and 7 species of reptiles inhabited here.

Recommended equipment : wide angle for landscapes, 70-200 mm zoom and 300 mm tele. Bright lenses, because often the weather conditions are not optimal.

Best months : Throughout the year, but from April to October, castles, valleys, rocks, forests have their distinctive colors, they give great opportunities to photograph beautiful landscapes.

How to get there : Depending on the destination from Warsaw it is about 230-280 km, it takes about 3-4 hours. From Krakow, the journey is convenient, depending on the travel destination 30 - 100 km, or up to 1.5 hours.

Visits : The entrance is free. You can find accommodation in climatic hotels, inns and agritourism farms throughout the Upland

Notes : An amazing impression was made on me during the night shooting of the Mirów Castle tapping the eagle owl, which carried in the calm air for many kilometers! Whenever I was there, I am always amazed and struck by the atmosphere of these regions, the specific calmness of communing with the Great Nature - there you must even whisper in order not to disturb the beauty that you can enjoy in silence.