Ostrzyca (501 m a.s.l.) is the highest hill of the Kaczawskie Foothills, with exceptionally distinctive conical shape and symbol of those foothills. It errects in the western part of the Foothills, near the village of Proboszczów. It has uncommon geological-geomorphological and botanical features.
The top parts of Ostrzyca Mountain are built from basalt, and the hill is the neck, that is a fragment of the former volcanic chimney, dissected through weathering and erosion from among the less resistant sedimentary rocks. While solidyfying in the chimney conduit, basalt lava cooled down, reduced its volume and cracked accroding to the regular pattern, creating columns with thickness of 15–30 cm. The columnar joint is well visible on numerous rocks at the top and on the hillside, reaching the height of up to 6 m.
The especially interesting natural element are stone runs, formed as a result of mechanical weathering of basalt rocks, falling off rock fragments, their accumulation on the hillside and slow movement. Single destitute of vegetation and unstable pieces of rock rubble are up to 40-metre-long and 30-metre-wide, and single basalt chips have a length from 10 to 30 cm.
Exceptional botanical elements are reflected in the legal protection of the highest parts of the hill as the nature reserve „Ostrzyca Proboszczowicka” with an area of 3.81 ha. It was established in 1962. for the protection of coppice forest with sycamore, maple, linden and elm growing on the highest parts of the hill, and very rich flora as well. There is a special route leading to the top with stone stairs.
Description: Piotr Migoń
Curiosities about Ostrzyca Mountain:
- calling Ostrzyca “Ostrzyca Proboszczowicka” is a mistake. The hill’s name is just “Ostrzyca”, while “Ostrzyca Proboszczowicka” is the name of the reserve located on it
- some of the most recent measurements provide the height of Ostrzyca as 499 m a.s.l.
- the hill is sometimes called the “Silesian Fujyama” because of the supposed resemblance to the Fuji volcano in Japan. Fuji is a volcano (although a dormant one), and Ostrzyca Mountain – a volcanic neck. They also differ significantly in the height!
- after the WWII, a partisan unit of Jan Bogdziewicz, called “Black Janek” hid in the forests around Ostrzyca
- there is well-known legend concerning Ostrzyca related to schwenkfelders. (followers of a religious doctrine by Caspar Schwenkfeld). They were supposedly all collected by the Devil into his bag in order to be taken to hell. However, he caught its corner on the Ostrzyca’s top, the bag ripped, and the freed schwenkwelders “scattered” around the neighbourhood. One of their churches (currently in ruins) is located in nearby Twardocice
The route for the trip to Ostrzyca Mountain:
(the map presents the route to the top, the return route is the same)
Nearby attractions
- when on Ostrzyca Mountain, it is worth visiting the Wielisław Organ located 12 kilometres further orCzartowską Skała which is slightly further away. In near
- Proboszczow, you can also go for a walk with alpacas along a route running near Ostrzyca
- in the village, there also is Stajnia Pod Ostrzycą, where you can go for a horseback trip to the top with the help of Kacper
- Spiżarnia pod Ostrzycą is a shop with various preserves sold directly from the farmer. It is located near the Silesian Fuji
