Jura Natural and Cultural Heritage Centre

The Jura Natural and Cultural Heritage Center in Podlesice (pronounced roughly "pod-leh-SHEE-tseh") is a small visitor center at the foot of Góra Zborów, one of the most striking limestone hills of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland – the "Polish Jura," a landscape of white rock towers and medieval castle ruins. In one stop you can see an exhibition on local geology and nature, take a guided tour of Głęboka Cave and start a nature trail through the reserve. It makes an easy half-day outing, especially with kids.

Where is it?

Podlesice is a village in Kroczyce municipality, southern Poland, about 15 km from Zawiercie. By car it takes roughly an hour to an hour and a half from Katowice (the nearest major airport) or Kraków. Public transport is limited, so driving is the practical option; there is a parking lot at the center.

The exhibition

The center is run by a nonprofit foundation that also manages active conservation in the reserve – clearing shrubs from sunny rock ridges and grazing animals, including a rare local breed, the Olkusz sheep. The exhibition covers more than 200 m² and features an interactive 3D model of the Góra Zborów area, displays on regional insect, fossil and archaeological research, and a geology room with gemstones, meteorites, shark teeth and dinosaur bones. The building is accessible to visitors with disabilities. Labels are mainly in Polish.

Głęboka Cave

The cave lies in the western part of Góra Zborów, about 1 km west of the village next to the center's parking lot. It is 190 m long and was first mapped in 1948. In 1942 a German wartime quarry cut through its middle section, and miners extracted calcite here for glassmaking. Bats roost inside, and the southern chamber stays at 8°C (46°F) or below even in summer.

Tours are guided only, last about 40 minutes (groups up to 30) and include a squeeze through a narrow labyrinth passage. The route is lit and easy but not wheelchair accessible – bring a warm layer.

Opening hours and tickets

As of October 2026, according to the operator:

• center: April to October, daily 9 am – 5 pm,
• Głęboka Cave: April 15 – October 31, daily 9 am – 5 pm, tours on the hour,
• cave tickets: PLN 25 regular, PLN 20 reduced, sold only at the center's reception,
• bookings: +48 730 702 056 or biuro@podlesice.org.pl (required for groups over 10).

How to plan your visit

Start with the exhibition – the 3D model explains the rocks you are about to see. Then buy a ticket at reception for the next cave tour on the hour, and afterwards follow the nature trail up onto the Góra Zborów ridge. Allow two to three hours in total. On summer weekends cave slots fill up, so booking by phone is a good idea.

Góra Zborów

The hill rises to 467 m and is a nature reserve and a major climbing area with rocks up to 30 m high. The red Trail of the Eagles' Nests (Szlak Orlich Gniazd) and a green trail cross it, and a nature trail starts by the center. Climbing is allowed only under reserve rules.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes – it is one of the best introductions to the Polish Jura, and the cave plus a walk among the rocks fills a pleasant morning or afternoon.