Rezerwat przyrody Góra Zelejowa, Nature reserve in Świętokrzyskie Mountains, Poland
Rezerwat przyrody Góra Zelejowa is a nature reserve centered on a limestone ridge with distinct surface features shaped by natural dissolution processes. The landscape displays exposed rock layers and geological formations that reveal how water and minerals have worked on the stone over time.
Extraction of calcite from this area dates back several centuries, connecting the region to important construction projects across the country. The two former quarries stand as evidence of long-term stone extraction that shaped both the landscape and the region's economy.
The pink and white calcite found here, known as Chęciny marble, has deep roots in the region's building traditions. You can still observe the traces of this stone extraction in the landscape, with former quarries showing how this resource shaped local craftsmanship.
The reserve is accessible via marked hiking trails that wind through the limestone formation and surrounding woodland areas. Sturdy footwear is recommended since the paths cross uneven terrain and exposed rock surfaces.
This area contains the longest limestone ridge in its mountain range, making it geologically significant in ways that may not be immediately obvious. The two former quarries offer rare glimpses into the internal structure of the rock formations, revealing mineral patterns that once attracted centuries of extraction.
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