Lesko Stone

As early as 1896 the Lesko town council resolved that this rock should be a "natural memorial" – which makes the Lesko Stone one of the earliest protected geological monuments in the former Austria-Hungary and in today's Poland. The massive sandstone outcrop stands in woodland in the village of Glinne, about 3 km from the centre of Lesko, by the road towards Ustrzyki Dolne. Aleksander Fredro wrote about it, and an iron cross has stood on its top since 1978.

What the Lesko Stone is

It is an outcrop of coarse-grained Krosno sandstone – a hard rock that resists weathering – on a hill about 410–420 m above sea level. The formation runs for about 220 m and at its highest point rises roughly 20 m above the ground. Its shape is largely man-made: a quarry operated on the north side, leaving a deep pit and a high vertical wall. According to a local sightseeing guide, the only part preserved in its natural form is the highest, tower-shaped rock.

History: quarry and protection

Sandstone from here went into Lesko's castle, church and synagogue, into the matzevot of the local Jewish cemetery and even into the Przemyśl Fortress. The rock was once called Kmita's Tower – after the family that founded Lesko and ruled it for centuries. The 1896 resolution, passed on the motion of mayor Józef Bielak, did not stop local people from quarrying, so in 1927 the rock was protected again – this time at the request of geologist Ludwik Horowitz of the State Geological Institute, who described it scientifically.

Legends and literature

The best-known legend tells of the devil carrying the boulder to destroy Lesko's church – he dropped it when a cock's crow frightened him. Another story says it is a girl turned to stone, cursed by her sick mother for taking too long to fetch water. Plaques on the rock recall some of these legends. Aleksander Fredro dedicated the poem "The Stone above Lesko" (Kamień nad Liskiem) to it and mentioned it in his memoir "Trzy po trzy" – an extract can also be read on site. Wincenty Pol, Oskar Kolberg and Stanisław Staszic wrote about the rock too.

What to see

• The wall of the old quarry on the north side – this is where the rock's size is most striking.
• The tower – the highest, natural part of the formation, with the cross on top.
• The plaques with legends and the Fredro extract.
• The sandstone layers, niches and overhangs – easy to see on the path that circles the rock.

Tripto tip

The easiest option is to leave your car in the small car park on national road 84 between Lesko and Glinne – from there it is a few minutes' walk along a forest track. A board of the Geo-Karpaty geological trail stands by the car park. A green hiking trail leads here from the centre of Lesko (about an hour's walk) and continues to Czulnia. Entry is free, but the paths are forest tracks and uneven. Today the rock is surrounded by trees, so do not expect a wide panorama – allow 30–45 minutes to walk around it and read the plaques. Climbers will find routes mostly for intermediates, but opinions differ on whether climbing is permitted – check the rules on site.