About 70% of the province area is under protection, owing to the abundance of fauna and flora. Nearly 30% of the territory is covered by forests, in which the most common species are: firs, pines, oaks beeches and larches.In undergrowth there can be found some heather, ferns, cranberries and blackberries.

FLORA

Within the territory of Świętokrzyski region

there is Świętokrzyski National Park, which

was established in 1950. Most of the park

area is covered by fir forest. A fir is

evergreen tree,growing to 60m high.

TYPICAL PLANTS OF THE REGION

Oak tree – can live to be hundreds of years

old. It is regarded as a symbol of power and

dignity.

Hepatica –a small plant, growing to 15

or 20cm high. It can be found in

woodlands.It begins to bloom in early

spring.The species is under protection.

Heather-a low, wild plant, about 20-80cm high,

with purple or pink flowers. It blooms from

August to October. The plant grows on hills or

open areas, forming vast moorlands.

The south-eastern part of the region is generally agricultural. However, small farms are

predominant, so farmfields very often look like colourful stripes. Because of infertile soil, the

people cultivate mainly potatoes and cereals. Only on Sandomierska Upland,which has fertile

soil,there is an abundance of fruit orchards and vegetable gardens.

NATURE PECULIARITIES OF

OUR REGION

Gołoborze - vast area of rock

rubble

FIR ROREST

Bartek Oak-the most famous nature monument in Poland. It is said to be

about 1000 years old. It is 30m and over 3m in diameter.Next to so-called

„Big Bartek” there is „Small Bartek”,the oak planted in 1966.

The Paradise Cave - located near Kielce, is regarded as one of the most

beautiful caves in Poland.The cave has the length of 240m but only 180m

is open to visitors. There are five chambers ornamented with stalactites

and stalagmites.

GEOLOGICAL EXPOSURE ŚlLICHOWICE

QUEEN JADWIGA’S RAVINE IN SANDOMIERZ

Starachowice is a town upon the Kamienna river, surrounded by forests.There are

about 55 thousand inhabitants. The main town attractions are nature monuments:

aged trees and sandy rocks. On the area of Starachowice there are also three water

reservoirs: Pasternik, Piachy and Lubianka.

We invite you to visit our town and region