The Dark Cave / Jaskinia Ciemna
Ojcow, Poland
Ojcow
Lesser Poland Voivodeship
Poland
Worth a visit of a King!
Jaskinia Ciemna is a very old show cave, as the first offical cave tour was made during a visit of the Polish King in the 17th century. For another royal visit in 1787 paths and stairs with railings were built to the cave entrance, the cave floor was planked, and the cave was brightly lit. This made this cave a show cave in the modern meaning of the word.
Going into the Cave
This popular cave lies 85 metres above the Pradnik Valley, meaning a slightly strenuous uphill ascent after you pass the ticket window. You will get into a dark, dank 150m passage through the non-electrified cave by candlelight.
Traces of one of the oldest prehistoric settlements in Poland – dating back to about 120,000BC - have been found here. You’ll encounter an installation of a Neanderthal family - nice spot to make some silly photos.
The highlight of Jaskinia Ciemna may not actually be the cave itself, but the scenic overlook in the midst of the passage which gives you great views of the surrounding landscape and particularly the Brama Krakowska (Krakow Gate) rock formation across the valley.
Today cave is inhabited by charming bats (lesser horseshoe bats with a strange snouts) and the most venomous spiders in Poland – orbweaving cave spiders.
Getting to Jaskinia Ciemna
To reach the cave take the green trail south from the Ojcow. This trail carries on from the cave along the top of the ridge, where you can admire remnants of a medieval hill-fort, before winding back down to the Pradnik stream.
Map
User reviews
Sebastian
I don't like caves. Actually there is nothing interesting there, for example, in contrast to the cave in Paradise
Mariusz
One of the most interesting caves in the Jura, mostly due to the picturesque place of entry and known archaeological site. In namulisku were found many tools of the Neanderthal, such as slynne knives pradnickie. After exploring the cave a bit above approaches where spread, beautiful views of the Valley Pradnika. Think ticket office is just down in the Valley, so if one descends into the cave from the Smardzowic should come down near the cave to lie down and again wspiac not in the hole (the entrance with the money takes approx. 15-20 minutes at a slow pace).
Łukasz
Worth a visit not only for presenting but also for the knowledge that can be obtained.
Jacek
Father of the cave-it is the duty of the visitor to this national Park, but can't beat a walk in the ravine
Łukasz
However, stupid though it may sound, this is the view from the Dark Cave is outstanding. :)
Bartosz
Very big cave, is worth a visit considering the fact that the guide to the cave is not a man "if" and has a great experience. So if you want not only to see the cave, but also to find out something about the times in which the cave was "settled", you need to come here.
Paweł
Aleksandra
Micha?
Radek
From Cave Short walked along the blue trail to the cave dark. Later on, you enter the cave green trail up the gauntlet. Visits by candlelight. I would recommend. We returned the black trail.
Od Groty Łokietka przeszliśmy niebieskim szlakiem aż do jaskini ciemnej. Później warto wejść nad jaskinię zielonym szlakiem aż pod Rękawicę. Zwiedza się przy świecach. Polecam. Wracaliśmy czarnym szlakiem.
Magdalena
