Ostrzyca, Extinct volcanic formation in Kaczawskie Foothills, Poland
Probsthainer Spitzberg is an extinct volcanic formation in the Kaczawskie Foothills of southwestern Poland, rising to 501 meters (approximately 1645 feet) above sea level. Stone fields cover large stretches of its slopes, and rare plant species grow among old-growth trees that have developed without human interference.
In 1839, Friedrich Ferdinand Prentzel commissioned a shelter on the summit and ordered 445 stone steps to be built, making the climb easier for travelers. The staircase linked the valley to the ridge and became a popular destination for hikers from the surrounding area.
Inscriptions near the top honor Henriette Emilia Wiggert-Prentzel, whose family shaped the site during the 19th century. Archaeologists believe that communities of the Lusatian culture may have conducted ceremonies here, treating the summit as sacred ground.
The climb from the parking area to the summit takes about an hour along the Yellow Trail of Extinct Volcanoes, while the descent takes around 40 minutes. Sturdy footwear is advisable because the stone steps can become slippery when wet and some sections are uneven.
The summit hosts the only known occurrence of a thermophilic maple-linden slope forest in Poland, protected since 1962. This rare woodland community thrives on the sunny slopes and attracts botanists from across the country.
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