Attractions and Places To See around Tenczyński Park Krajobrazowy - Top 20

It's worth visiting, there's a cafe and you can buy souvenirs

Visiting the Ruins: The castle is open to the public, and tourists can see, among other things, the walled-up prison cells. Tower: The castle's distinctive feature is the towering, nearly 30-meter-tall tower, which can be climbed to admire the views of the surrounding area. Access to the top via a narrow, winding staircase and ladder is an additional attraction. Vistula Ethnographic Park: The castle ruins are part of a museum complex, along with the adjacent open-air museum, where visitors can see examples of the region's traditional wooden architecture, including a 17th-century church. Events: The castle and the open-air museum frequently host outdoor events, such as history weekends, rallies, and concerts.

Lipowiec Castle is a picturesque medieval castle ruin situated on a limestone hill within the Lipowiec Nature Reserve, near the villages of Wygiełzów and Babice, in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. Located in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland, it once served as a castle for the Kraków bishops and a prison.

The place has become a bit ugly, I think there are a few missing elements as of August 27, 2025

This Gothic fortress once protected the trade route from Kraków to Silesia. Fragments of the upper castle, including a well and a tower from the earliest period of construction, still survive today. In the 15th century, the fortress, owned by the Kraków bishops, also served as a prison for clergy, particularly during the Reformation. The fortress was destroyed by wars and fires and was finally abandoned in the early 19th century. In the 20th century, the building was opened to the public, and annual festivals were organized there to showcase the medieval era. In August, the Knights' and Archery Tournament takes place, offering visitors the opportunity to observe military performances, visit the craftsmen's village, and participate in numerous games and shows, all accompanied by the sounds of early music. Another August attraction is the Witches' and Witches' Rally.

Lipowiec Castle is open to visitors again. Extensive security work has been completed. The ruins can now be safely viewed. However, some parts are not open to the public. The high keep is accessible via a narrow stone spiral staircase. Two artillery loopholes have been restored in the keep and are now accessible on the way to the top viewing platform. The last 3 meters must be climbed with the help of a permanently installed ladder. You are rewarded with a magnificent 360° view. A view that makes you want to hike in the surrounding forests. The newly built, chic café does not detract from the ensemble at all. It blends well with the old ensemble. Admission costs 20 zloty (as of July 2025).

The name of the rock comes from the knight Kmita, who, according to a legend from the early 16th century, fell unhappily in love with the beautiful Olimpia Bonerowna, the daughter of the then owner of Balice. Unable to marry her, he threw himself and his horse off the rock in despair, dying on the spot. Bonerówna was supposedly given to a convent. There is a cross at the place where he jumped. An old inscription (renovated in 2016) carved on the rock a few meters above the road reads: Who with heart will come here, Having courage on that day, That can also have joy; And who with heart will come here, Has sorrow on that day, That can also have peace. This is a fragment of a poem by Adam Gorczyński. There is another inscription on the rock: With this animal's rhythm here fresh The painful heart of the lonely rock Stanisław Kmita, armed knight In battle with the Tatars, with a mighty sabre Towards Bonerów he turned his heart And from this rock here into the abyss he threw himself 1515. The author of this sentence is Wincenty Pol. Both inscriptions were carved in 1854. (Wikipedia)

There is a cafe with good cakes, it is worth stopping by