Ostrężnik is a Polish

settlement Settlement may refer to: *Human settlement, a community where people live *Settlement (structural), downward movement of a structure's foundation *Settlement (finance), where securities are delivered against payment of money *Settlement (litigatio ...

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 ...

near

Trzebniów Trzebniów is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Niegowa, within Myszków County, Silesian Voivodeship, in southern Poland. It lies approximately north-west of Niegowa, north-east of Myszków, and north-east of the regional capit ...

Silesian Voivodeship Silesian Voivodeship ( ) is an administrative province in southern Poland. With over 4.2 million residents and an area of 12,300 square kilometers, it is the second-most populous, and the most-densely populated and most-urbanized region of Poland ...

, northwestern corner of

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

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, funga, or features of geologic ...

''(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 (; 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, retaining the title throughout the Galicia–Volhynia Wars. He was the last Polish king fr ...

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 * Polish people, people from Poland or of Polish descent * Polish chicken * Polish brothers (Mark Polish and Michael Polish, born 1970), American twin ...

in order to protect the capital city of

Kraków , officially the Royal Capital City of Kraków, is the List of cities and towns in Poland, second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city has a population of 804,237 ...

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

Trail of the Eagles' Nests The Trail of the Eagles' Nests () 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. Since 1980, much of the ar ...

() 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