View source for Świętokrzyski National Park

{{short description|National park in Poland}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Świętokrzyski National Park
| alt_name = Świętokrzyski Park Narodowy
| iucn_category = II
| photo = Lysa Gora goloborze 3914 20080703.jpg
| photo_caption = Stone run at Świętokrzyski National Park
[[File:Swietokrzyski Park Narodowy.svg|120px|center]]
Park logo
| map = Poland | relief = 1
| map_caption = Location in Poland
| location = [[Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship]], [[Poland]]
| nearest_city =
| coords = {{coord|50.876|N|20.978|E|source:dewiki|display=inline,title}}
| area = 76.26 km²
| established = 1950
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = Ministry of the Environment
}}
'''Świętokrzyski National Park''' ({{langx|pl|Świętokrzyski Park Narodowy}}) is a [[List of National Parks of Poland|National Park]] in [[Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship]] in central [[Poland]]. It covers the highest ridge of the [[Góry Świętokrzyskie|Świętokrzyskie (Holy Cross) Mountains]] – the Łysogory – with its two highest peaks: Łysica at {{convert|612|m|ft}} and Łysa Góra ("Bald Mountain") at {{convert|595|m|ft|abbr=on}}. It also covers the eastern part of the Klonowski Ridge and part of the Pokrzywianski Ridge. The park has its headquarters in [[Bodzentyn]].
==History==
The history of efforts to protect this part of Poland dates back to the times before [[World War I]]. In 1921 a first forest reserve in the Swiętokrzyskie mountains was created – this was Józef Kostyrko's reserve on Chełmowa Góra (1.63&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>). The following year, two parts of the Łysogory with a total area of 3.11&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> also became protected. In 1932 the area of the reserve was officially expanded to 13.47&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, but the National Park was not created until 1950. Its initial area was 60.54&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, but it has since been expanded to {{convert|76.26|km2|sqmi}}, of which 72.12&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> is forested. There are five strictly protected zones with a total area of 17.31&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.
==Landscape==
The Świętokrzyskie Mountains are the oldest in Poland. Elevated in three different tectonic periods, they spread out in the Małopolska Upland, between Pilica and the Vistula. Their outlines are gentle and their heights are small. However, they fascinate with the extremely original structure, varied vegetation and the animal world.
==Flora==
The park is famous for its trees, of which 674 are regarded as monuments of nature and as such are under protection. Park authorities successfully managed to reintroduce [[Taxus baccata|yew]] trees here – now there are around 1300 of them. Most of the park's area is forested, mainly with [[pine]]s and [[beech]]es. [[Fir]] trees are less numerous as well as forests of mixed [[oak]]-fir character. Among the park's curiosities we must emphasize the endemic, unique only for this area, fir wilderness and areas of Polish larch on Chełmowa Góra.
==Fauna==
The park's [[fauna]] is represented by more than 4000 species of [[invertebrate]]s and 210 species of [[vertebrae]] (including 187 protected). One of local animal's life most precious features is the fact that many of species are of mountainous kind. These usually thrive in the strictly protected areas and deep in the forests.
==Architecture==
Apart from nature, the park and its vicinity has a lot more to offer. There are several important architectural relics, most of which of sacral character. The most precious is the [[Benedictine]] [[Holy Cross Abbey]] from the first half of the 12th century, located on the peak of [[Łysa Góra]]. It is probable that here the oldest example of Polish writing was created – ''Kazania Świętoktrzyskie'' ([[Holy Cross Sermons]]). An interesting feature of the local landscape is the numerous roadside chapels.
Other fine examples of architecture are situated beyond the park's limits. These are: female monastery at Św. Katarzyna (1633), churches at [[Bielice, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship|Bielice]] (17th century) and Bodzentynów (15th century), ruins of a castle at [[Bodzentyn]] (14th century), parts of rampart around Łysa Góra (9th century) and museum of metallurgy at [[Słupia Nowa]], where occasionally ancient method of producing steel is presented to tourists. The park has many historical monuments connected with Polish national uprisings and the time of [[Nazism|Nazi]] occupation.
==External links==
*[http://www.staff.amu.edu.pl/~zbzw/ph/pnp/swie.htm University site]
*[http://www.swietokrzyskipn.org.pl/ Official site]
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{{Polish protected areas}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Swietokrzyski National Park}}
[[Category:National parks of Poland]]
[[Category:Parks in Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1950]]
[[Category:1950 establishments in Poland]]
[[Category:Central European mixed forests]]