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Ojców village / Shutterstock
Ojców village
A medieval settlement first mentioned in 1370, Ojców had to wait until the 19th century to gain renown as a spa resort and, soon afterwards, to become a popular tourist destination. An old house at the foot of the castle hill, near the spa park, is occupied by a national park museum devoted to local archeology, flora, fauna and geology.
There is a castle nearby. Ojców Castle was constructed in the first half of the 14th century by Kazimierz the Great. The hill slopes are a strict nature reserve because of a number of rare plants growing there. Built of limestone slabs, the fortress is entered through a massive gate, one of its sides clinging to solid rock. Only 3 pillars on the right remain of the bridge that once spanned the moat. There are also some fragments of outer walls and a ruined chapel.