{"id":14508,"date":"2023-10-23T20:55:30","date_gmt":"2023-10-23T18:55:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gorykaczawskie.pl\/about-geopark\/"},"modified":"2023-10-23T20:55:31","modified_gmt":"2023-10-23T18:55:31","slug":"about-geopark","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.gorykaczawskie.pl\/en\/about-geopark\/","title":{"rendered":"The Kaczawskie Mountains – The Land of Extinct Volcanoes Geopark"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_custom_heading text=”The Kaczawskie Mountains and Foothills
\n– the Land of Extinct Volcanoes Geopark” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>
[vc_custom_heading text=”Why the “Land of Extinct Volcanoes”?” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

The Land of Extinct Volcanoes is an informal yet well-established term for a part of Lower Silesia located between Legnica, Jelenia G\u00f3ra, and Strzegom. Its distinctive feature is the presence of rocks of volcanic origin<\/strong>. Currently, we don’t have active volcanoes in Poland, and the last volcanic eruptions in Polish territories occurred several million years ago. The geological record of volcanism, however, is very rich and spans approximately half a billion years<\/strong>, with its most complete expression found in the Land of Extinct Volcanoes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

\"nordic_walking_kraina_wygaslych_wulkan\u00f3w\"<\/div><\/div>[vc_custom_heading text=”Three periods of volcanism” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

The exposed volcanic rocks in it originate from three periods in geological history<\/strong>. The oldest occurred during the earliest stages of the Paleozoic era, about 400-500 million years ago, and had the characteristics of submarine volcanism. During that time, basaltic lavas were formed, which, during subsequent tectonic processes, transformed into pillow lavas, retaining their original appearance in some places with a characteristic pillow structure.<\/p>\n

The second volcanic period<\/strong> took place in the early Permian, around 300-280 million years ago. In the semi-desert landscape of that time, volcanic cones and lava flows formed, with typical rocks for this stage being rhyolites and trachybasalts. These are associated with the region’s typical agates.<\/p>\n

The third period of volcanic activity<\/strong> occurred during the Paleogene to Neogene transition, covering the period from 35 to 15 million years ago. The characteristic rock for this period is basalt, and the remnants of ancient volcanoes, already eroded by later processes, are exposed former volcanic vents. Due to the high hardness of the solidified basaltic lava within them, they form hills called necks<\/strong>. For basalts, a typical feature is the regular columnar fracture system that forms during the cooling of the lava, which can be seen on numerous outcrops and in quarries.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

\"\"<\/div><\/div>[vc_custom_heading text=”Geography” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

The Land of Extinct Volcanoes does not align with a single geographic region<\/strong>, but encompasses areas that vary in terms of elevation, surface topography, forest cover, and land use. Its western part is situated in the Sudetes and is divided into the higher Kaczawskie Mountains to the south and the lower Kaczawskie Foothills to the north, with small areas being part of the Wa\u0142brzych Foothills. The extreme northern and eastern parts are characterised by a flat to hilly terrain. The low hills to the east of Jawor belong to the Sudetic Foreland, while the remaining areas are part of the Silesian-Lusatian Lowland and to a small extent, the Silesian Lowland. Administratively, the Land of Extinct Volcanoes corresponds to the area formed by the municipalities associated with the ‘Local Action Group Kaczawskie Partnership’ Association. These include the municipalities of Bolk\u00f3w, Krotoszyce, Legnickie Pole, M\u0119cinka, M\u015bciwoj\u00f3w, Paszowice, Ruja, W\u0105dro\u017ce Wielkie, Pielgrzymka, \u015awierzawa, Zagrodno, the rural municipality of Z\u0142otoryja, as well as the towns of Wojciesz\u00f3w and Z\u0142otoryja. The town of Jawor, along with the municipality of Je\u017c\u00f3w Sudecki, has also been included in the cooperation and has declared its accession to the establishment of the Land of Extinct Volcanoes Geopark<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

\"Salamandra<\/div><\/div>[vc_custom_heading text=”Natural heritage” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

It would be misleading to assume that the former volcanic phenomena are the sole attraction of the Land of Extinct Volcanoes and the only reason to visit it. Even the inanimate nature itself offers much more than just the heritage of volcanism, and this has found its fullest expression in the establishment of the Geopark. Here, you can find rock formations, caves, deep river gorges, explore the remarkable diversity of rocks and minerals<\/strong>, and also see tangible remnants of the age-old human utilization of Earth’s resources.<\/p>\n

Equally captivating is the world of plants and animals<\/strong>, and the measure of its uniqueness is the establishment of the ‘Che\u0142my’ Landscape Park in the eastern part of the Kaczawskie Foothills and as many as ten nature reserves protecting unique forest communities. A significant portion of the Land of Extinct Volcanoes is protected within the Natura 2000 network.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

\"\"<\/div><\/div>[vc_custom_heading text=”Cultural heritage” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

The cultural heritage<\/strong> is also very rich and dates back to the early Middle Ages when settlements and strongholds were established in places with exceptional defensive qualities. The towns of Bolk\u00f3w, Jawor, \u015awierzawa, and Z\u0142otoryja are the richest in historical sites, with particular emphasis on the Protestant Church of Peace in Jawor. In 2001, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which is the highest possible recognition for a man-made structure. The Benedictine Abbey in Legnickie Pole has the status of a Monument of History. The vast majority of settlements in the Land of Extinct Volcanoes were established in the late Middle Ages as linear farming villages or commercial settlements along transportation routes. Enduring remnants of this distant past include not only architectural landmarks but also the strip field layout, which is well-preserved in many places to this day. Almost every village can boast a medieval lineage of its local church, although their contemporary appearance is typically of a later date. When visiting them, it’s impossible not to notice the ornate stone epitaphs of the former owners. Unfortunately, fate has not been kind to many palaces and manors located in these villages. Some of them stand in ruins, awaiting owners who will restore their former splendor, while others have disappeared forever, and only the manor parks remain, sometimes with impressive monumental trees, serving as a reminder of their existence. In the Land of Extinct Volcanoes, you will also find impressive medieval castles, remnants of old mines, mysterious stone crosses, relics of battles fought here, and numerous examples of traditional rural architecture, with characteristic half-timbered structures.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>[vc_custom_heading text=”Tourism” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

An increasingly better service and infrastructure support \u2013 accommodations, dining facilities, new roads, a dense network of pedestrian and cycling tourist trails, educational paths, information centers, and informative signs placed in interesting locations \u2013 all contribute to the growth of tourism. The natural and cultural diversity of the region makes it easy to plan longer sightseeing and leisure stays or multiple shorter visits. This publication contains brief descriptions of over 100 towns and sites (including hills, nature reserves, and Earth heritage sites) worth visiting. They do not aim to exhaust the subject and should rather serve as an encouragement and inspiration for independent exploration of the treasures of the region.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Tekst: Piotr Migo\u0144<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

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