Ostrężnik is a Polish

settlement Settlement may refer to: *Human settlement, a community where people live *Settlement (structural), the distortion or disruption of parts of a building *Closing (real estate), the final step in executing a real estate transaction *Settlement (fina ...

Gmina Niegowa __NOTOC__ Gmina Niegowa is a rural gmina (administrative district) in Myszków County, Silesian Voivodeship, in southern Poland. Its seat is the village of Niegowa, which lies approximately north-east of Myszków and north-east of the regional c ...

near Trzebniów in

Silesian Voivodeship Silesian Voivodeship, or Silesia Province ( pl, województwo śląskie ) is a voivodeship, or province, in southern Poland, centered on the historic region known as Upper Silesia ('), with Katowice serving as its capital. Despite the Silesian ...

, northwestern corner of

Lesser Poland Lesser Poland, often known by its Polish name Małopolska ( la, Polonia Minor), is a historical region situated in southern and south-eastern Poland. Its capital and largest city is Kraków. Throughout centuries, Lesser Poland developed a s ...

Location

The settlement consists of only several houses, nevertheless, it is known for the ruins of the Ostrężnik Castle ''(right)'' built in early 14th century, as well as the

nature reserve A nature reserve (also known as a wildlife refuge, wildlife sanctuary, biosphere reserve or bioreserve, natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area) is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, or features of geological or ...

''(left)'' called ''Rezerwat przyrody Ostrężnik'' established in 1960 with the total area of 4.1 ha. The Ostrężnik Castle was one of over 25 medieval castles built by the order of King

Casimir III the Great Casimir III the Great ( pl, Kazimierz III Wielki; 30 April 1310 – 5 November 1370) reigned as the King of Poland from 1333 to 1370. He also later became King of Ruthenia in 1340, and fought to retain the title in the Galicia-Volhynia Wars. He w ...

on large, tall rocks of the

Polish Jura Chain Polish may refer to: * Anything from or related to Poland, a country in Europe * Polish language * Poles Poles,, ; singular masculine: ''Polak'', singular feminine: ''Polka'' or Polish people, are a West Slavic nation and ethnic group, w ...

in order to protect the capital city of

Kraków Kraków (), or Cracow, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland until 1596 ...

as well as important trading routes against the invaders. The series of castles named the Eagles' Nests ( pl, Orle Gniazda) form the

Trail of the Eagles' Nests The Trail of the Eagles' Nests ( pl, Szlak Orlich Gniazd) of south-western Poland, is a marked trail along a chain of 25 medieval castles between Częstochowa and Kraków. The Trail of the Eagles' Nests was first marked by Kazimierz Sosnowski. Si ...

( pl, Szlak Orlich Gniazd) of south-western Poland. Ostrężnik is a popular destination for hiking trips, and mountain biking, with several marked trails. Weekend na rowerze. Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska.
Ostrężnik. Czarny szlak do resztek warowni. ''Gazeta Turystyka.''

Location

References

Further reading