SIGHT-SEEING AND TOURIST VALUES

The foundation of Olkusz is connected with extraction of silver and lead ores hidden in this area. Olkusz received its town rights in 1299. At the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries the town was in its 'golden age'.
St. Andrew's (Św. Andrzeja) Gothic church, which was built in the 16th century, towers over the town.
The most valuable monument of the town are late-Renaissance organs (dating back to the 17th century) built by Johann Hummel of Norymbergia (NĂťrnberg).
In the Old Town of Olkusz one can admire Gothic and Renaissance buildings. There are also fragments of battlements left with a restored keep.

You can visit the following museums:

* African Museum (with the collection of folk and West African culture art)
* Wickerwork Museum (with the collection of furniture, wall decorations from wicker and rope, and small practical objects)
* Firefighting Museum (which documents the work of one of the oldest fire departments)
* Regional Museum of PTTK(i.e. Polish Sight-seeing and Tourist Association) - one of the oldest museums in Poland

* Not far from Olkusz, in Rabsztyn, there are ruins of a Gothic castle.
* Within the distance of 20 km there is a castle in Pieskowa Skała called 'the pearl of Polish Renaissance'.
* The ruins of A Gothic castle in Ogrodzieniec make a lasting impression. High battlements and towers have lasted up to this day.
* One of the biggest attractions is, unique in European scale, Pustynia Błędowska (a desert).
* Ojcowski Park Narodowy (Ojcowski National Park), with unique vegetation and the valley of Prądnik River, lies within 25 km from Olkusz. In the Park you can visit the ruins of a castle in Ojców, Grota Łokietka (the cave named after one of the Polish kings), Brama Krakowska and many other caves.
* The beauty and mystery of the Jurassic scenery make 'the one who has been here once always want to come back'.

EAGLE NESTS TRAIL

The Hostel is located within about 38 km from Kraków and makes a great place from which you can visit Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska, Szlak Orlich Gniazd (Eagle Nests Trail), Wieliczka (the famous salt mine), Oświęcim (with a concentration camp) and Kraków.
One can set off from Olkusz onto many walking or cycling trips in the area and visit ruins of castles, national remembrance sites, Pustynia Błędowska, the valley of Prądnik River and many caves.

BY COACH
If you are on Kraków-to-Katowice road (A4, E40), turn in the direction of Trzebinia, next follow the information signs to the School Hostel (Schronisko Szkolne).

BY TRAIN
You can get to Olkusz by taking any Katowice-to-Sędziszów train.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT
From PKS (bus) station or PKP (train) station in Olkusz take the local bus or Mini Bus and get off on the 3rd or 4th stop.

FIRST CATEGORY HOSTEL OFFERS YOU

* It is open 24h all year round.
* It has 70 beds (if you need more, there is such a possibility with a prior notice).
* Inexpensive accommodation for organized student groups and individual tourists.
* You can choose one or more meals a day.
* You can use our self-serve kitchen with all its facilities.
* There are showers with hot and cold water.
* There are TV rooms with satellite TV, table tennis and other sports equipment.
* There is a volleyball and basketball court next to the hostel.
* You can use a swimming pool (400m from the hostel, with prior notice).
* You can organize a bon-fire with grilling sausages.
* The hostel area is fenced and well-lit at night as well as under 24h janitor control.
* We can guarantee professional guides in Olkusz and on the Eagle Nests Trail (e.g. Ojców, Pieskowa Skała, Pustynia Błędowska, Ogrodzieniec).
* We can book museum tickets for you.
* During the winter break from school (January/February) and summer holidays (July/August) we can organize holiday or sports camps.

We guarantee good and inexpensive accommodation
as well as nice and professional staff.

VISIT US SOON ! ! !

Zespół Placówek Oświatowych
Szkolne Schronisko Młodzieżowe "Jura"
32-300 Olkusz
Ul. Legionów Polskich 3
Tel./Fax. 00-4832) 643-03-93
(00-4832) 754-69-86
www.schroniska.wb.pl
juraol@poczta.fm