The Olsztyn Cavern is a typical karst cave formed in the Tertiary era of a Late Jurassic limestone massif. It is located in the north western section of the foothills of Mount Pustelnica in the Sokole Mountains and is part of the cave system along with All Saints Cave. This system is one of the largest and most interesting caves in the Jura.
FEATURES, ORIGINS, VALUES AND LEGAL PROTECTION
The Olsztyn Cavern is a typical karst cave formed in the Tertiary era of a Late Jurassic limestone massif. It is located in the north western section of the foothills of Mount Pustelnica in the Sokole Mountains and is part of the cave system along with All Saints Cave. This system is one of the largest and most interesting caves in the Jura.
According to opinion by the well-known geologist, Jerzy Pusch, who first wrote about the cave at the beginning of the 19th century, in 1836, it was one of the most beautiful caves.
Unfortunately, due to the development of the glass industry in the area of Czestochowa, spar, crystalline calcium carbonate, which is used as a flux, began to be extracted from the caves of the Sokole Mountains on an industrial scale. This led to a total denudation of formations from the caves, which is exemplified by the Olsztyn Cavern. In 1932, the calcite mine here was finally closed.
However, the main assets of this cave are its varied forms of passageways. The Sokole Mountains, as a nature reserve, have been protected under this status since 1953 so pedestrian tourism in the reserve is allowed only on marked trails.
TOUR ORGANISER
Olsztyn Municipal Office
Plac Marshal Jozef Pilsudski 10
42-256 Olsztyn
Tel: +48 34 328 50 76 or +48 34 328 50 77
email: sekretariat@olsztyn-jurajski.pl
http://www.olsztyn.ug.gov.pl/
ACCESSIBILITY OF FACILITIES BY VISITORS
The cave is open to visitors each year between 15 April and 15 November.
Trail length is about 40 metres
Tour takes about two hours, including the walk from the car park
The internal temperature is about 8° C and the humidity is approximately 75%.
The route is not electrically illuminated.
The cave is not suitable for people with physical disabilities.
Sightseeing is unaccompanied
We recommend comfortable, athletic shoes and warm clothing in the summer.
Visitors to the cave should carry at least 2 light sources.