St Rosalia's Grotto on Perzowa Góra, Hucisko

On the summit of Perzowa Góra, massive blocks of red sandstone have split apart to form a cleft, and inside it is a chapel dedicated to St Rosalia – the saint invoked against plague. During the great epidemics of the 19th century, numerous pilgrimages came here, and some of the faithful climbed to the top on their knees. Today the grotto lies in a nature reserve right above the houses of Hucisko.

Rocks from the Triassic

The Perzowa Góra nature reserve was created in 1995 and covers about 33 ha. It takes in the summit (395 m above sea level) and the slopes of the hill. It protects natural outcrops of Triassic sandstone – rock pulpits, ledges and boulders – as well as woodland with patches of fertile Carpathian beech forest. Plants include the martagon lily, wild garlic, bulbiferous coralroot and toothwort. Even in summer it is cool and shady under the beeches, hornbeams and firs.

The grotto itself is a fissure cave in the most striking group of rocks at the top. The chapel is closed by wooden doors set between moss-covered boulders – a sight that stays with you after the walk.

The cult of St Rosalia

According to folk tradition, the image of St Rosalia was placed in the rock on the orders of King Casimir the Great himself, to protect local people from plague. This is a legend that no documents confirm. What is documented are the 19th-century pilgrimages during epidemics, which cemented the tradition of the place. The chapel is still a place of prayer, so keep quiet and be respectful, especially during services.

Tripto tip

The red Main Świętokrzyskie Trail (Gołoszyce – Kuźniaki) runs through the reserve, so the grotto is easy to include in a longer hike. The shortest approach is along a forest path from Hucisko – allow about 1 hour to walk up, look at the rocks and return. Stay on the paths and do not climb the rocks; this is a protected site. A note on location: Perzowa Góra and Hucisko lie in the Strawczyn municipality of Kielce County, within the Suchedniów-Oblęgorek Landscape Park.