Gołoborze

Is one of the most recognizable landmarks of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains. One can reach it by taking the Royal Road from Nowa Słupia to Łysa Góra or from the other side, starting at Huta Szklana. The peaks of Pasmo Główne (Main Range) are formed from banks of hard Cambrian quartzitic sandstone (ca. 500 million years of age). Gołoborza are rubble-block sheets and stone runs covering the sides of a hill. They were formed in the Pleistocenic epoch (in the last 1 million years). In the glacial periods, during the subsequent glaciations, the Scandinavian glacier had not always covered the highest parts of the Świętokrzyskie mountains. The rocky ridge of the Łysogóry Range, as a so-called “nunatak”, rose above the endless glacier. The sandstone that formed the ridge weathered and was submitted to fragmentation in the harsh periglacial conditions, after that it crawled down the slopes, forming characteristic sheets. Contemporary climatic conditions favour the progressive overgrowing of the stone runs. The recently built viewing terrace allows tourists to enjoy a splendid view of the Świętokrzyskie landscape. While at Łysa Góra, visit the Święty Krzyż church-monastic complex located there, as well as the Natural Museum, where you can learn about the geological structure of the entire region, as well as about the plants and animals that inhabit it. Another interesting landmark of Łysa Góra are the circles surrounding the sites of pagan worship dating back to 8th – 10th century that can be found in the uppermost part of the hill.