the ruins of the castle
Olsztyn is located in the Jura Krakowsko - Częstochowska, 12 km south-east of Czestochowa, lies within the Landscape Park, where lies also reserves "Green Mountain" and "Hawk Mountain".
Olsztyn Area is one of the most picturesque corners of the Jura, where one of the biggest attractions are the ruins of the castle, which was built in the early fourteenth century, built during the time of King Kaziemierz The Great, on a hill, among limestone cliffs, which belongs to the border stronghold of Malopolska. Castle has been many times previously invaded, in 1587 said the Archduke Maximilian military attack and has been severely damaged. With the development of warfare, which minimized the importance of the strategic position of that kind of buildings, the castle in Olsztyn has lost its meaning. In 1655 was conquered by the Swedes, and from the mid-seventeenth century, fell into disrepair. In 1722, the castle was partly demolished for the construction of a church in Olsztyn. To the present time are preserved only fragments of walls. The most impressive part of the ruins of a 35-meter high round tower, which served as a prison for sentenced to death by starvation and during the war was the last refuge for the besieged. In the southern and eastern part of the courtyard, you can watch excerpts living areas and outside the boundary the walls you can watch a rectangular observation tower.
Another of the tourist attractions, that you must visit, is the church of St. John the Baptist. It was founded by George Dominic Lubomirski in the years 1722 to 1726. This is an example of onenave church, which was built on a cruciform plan. Stones from the ruins of the castle were used for its construction. The wall surrounding the church contains a chapel with an image of St. Barbara from the early eighteenth century. Being in Olsztyn you absolutely need to see a moving crib by sculptor John Wiewiór, who presented scenes from the life of the Holy Family and the folk traditions of the inhabitants of the Jura Krakowsko – Częstochowska. Each of the eight hundred figures has been refined to the smallest detail. Nativity was performed by the artist 15 years, but the work is still not fully completed, continues to be expanded. The whole is dominated by a model of Olsztyn Castle.
the church of St. John the Baptist
A variety of sports
The commune is an area convenient to enjoy a variety of sports such as rock climbing, paragliding, hiking, biking and riding and caving. In Olsztyn and the surrounding area various recreational events has been executed.
The most likely chosen destination for hiking and biking are Sokole Góry. It is the largest nature reserve, located in the highlands of Krakow and Czestochowa. Sokole Góry consist of ten hills and rocky massifs, forming a sort of jack mountain, built an average of approximately 100 m above the surrounding area.
In Sokole Góry there are several caves, the most famous are:
Olsztyńska Cave - the cave is located in the north - west part of Pustelnica Mountain, it's one of the system along with the Cave of All Saints and belongs to the largest and most interesting caves in the Jura.
Cave Above Sokola Góra - This cave is located in Puchacz Mountain, near the top of Sokola Góra, on its' north side.
Studnisko Cave - depth -75.5 m, currently the deepest known cave on Cracow Upland area. In terms of the length of the corridors (296 m) is the eleventh cave on the area.
Cave of All Saints - in Pustelnica Mountain. With the Olsztynska Cave it creates one system. Both caves combines low shoals formed at the junction of the corridor.
Urwista Cave - occupies sixth place in the Jura in terms of depth. Its length is 132 m, depth - 39 m
Coral Cave - located on the southern slope of the Pustelnica Mountain. It was discovered in the years 1918 to 1939 by accident by prospectors of spar. Since 1966 secured by a lattice. The name comes from the original overhang formations.
Sokole góry
Towarne Mountain
Another point of interest along the trail near Olsztyn, which is worth seeing are Towarne Mountain with interesting monadnocks and caves, nature reserve "Green Mountain" and karst lake, which is a rare phenomenon, and in Poland you can see similar only in the Lublin region.
Towarne Mountain lie 3 km north of Olsztyn, near the village of Kusięta. Their highest peak is Lisica (349 m n p m). In contrast to Sokole Góry areas are deforested, however, have something in common, which are caves. Towarna and Dzwonnica Caves create a system with a total length of 170 m. There is also a Cabanowa Cave with a length of 47 m.
Karst lake in Kusięta is located in the bottom of broad decrease valley. Range of lake varies seasonally and is dependent on the amount of rainfall. It is a form karst, was founded at the site of a large karst funnel (or several connected craters) and is a unique facility in the entire country, as similar forms can be found only in the karst areas of the Lublin Upland.
Since 2007 Olsztyn is richer by a great tourist attraction, which is Dworski Spichlerz Galeriowy built in 1783, moved from village Borowno. Located at the foot of the ruins of the castle with ease inscribed in their scenery. It also received Award of the Historical Monument General Conservator - "Zadbany zabytek" in 2008 and is one of the few examples of traditional Polish folk architecture in the region.