King Lokietek Cave

Stretching over 320m through several passages, Lokietek Cave is accessible from the black trail heading south from Ojcow Castle. It is the largest cave in Ojcow National Park, natural wonder visited by 100,000 people annually.

Legend about King Lokietek Cave

Legend about this cave tells of Wladyslaw Lokietek (Wladyslaw the "Elbow-high") who purportedly used this cave as a hideout in the early 14th century during his fight with the Bohemian king Wacław II for the Cracovian throne. As legend would tell it, the Polish Prince and his men were attacked in Ojcow with Wladyslaw only escaping death or capture when he discovered a secret passage into the cave. A timely spider wove a large web over the entrance, thus concealing it from his pursuers and the Prince was able to hideout here until he could regroup his forces, return to Krakow and take command over Malopolska, which he did in 1304. Lokietek was crowned in Wawel Cathedral as the King of Poland in 1320.

Visiting Lokietek Cave

To get to Lokietek Cave, set off on the black trail which rises 130 metres above the valley.

As soon as this cave is so popular by tourists, you better call in advance, espessially in late May, when dozens of school groups gather there to hear popular legend.

Also please consider take warm clothes with you as the temperature of the cave remains between 7°C and 8°C all year.