The Land of Extinct Volcanoes is an area shaped by volcanic activity located in Lower Silesia in the region of the Kaczawskie Foothills and the Chojnów Plain.
Land of Extinct Volcanoes it covers an area of approx. 1300 square km, which includes as many as 14 communes. The Sudetes derive their origin from volcanic activity. The Kaczawskie Foothills are only a part of them, but due to the hills that were once volcanoes clearly visible in the landscape, and the multitude of unique rock formations of volcanic origin, they distinguish this area on the map of Poland.
The volcanic activity that we can observe in the landscape of the region can be divided into:
- Paleozoic volcanism, about 500 million years ago,
- Permian volcanism, from about 270 million years ago,
- Cenozoic volcanism, from about 20 million years ago.
Among the volcanoes formed in this area, the largest of them stands out - Ostrzyca Proboszczownicka, also known as Silesian Fujiyama.
Land of Extinct Volcanoes - information for tourists
Land of Extinct Volcanoes has its own hiking trail, marked in yellow. The trail starts in the Kaczawskie Foothills in the town of Złotoryja. However, it ends in the Chojnowska Plain in the village of Legnickie Pole. Its total length is approx. 97 km, so it is perfect for a bicycle or car trip, but it is also worth going on foot in shorter parts.
The trail follows geological attractions such as the Kaczawskie Mountains and basalt pillars Wielisławski organs, Raven Rocks or the most recognizable extinct volcano, the already mentioned Ostrzyca Proboszczownicka. And this is just a substitute for the places worth visiting that it hides Land of Extinct Volcanoes.
If you want to get to know these areas better, it is worth visiting the Museum of Volcanoes - Sudecka Zagroda Edukacyjna. This place was created with the visitors of this unique land in mind. Extinct volcanoes rising above the surrounding landscape for centuries became the location of former strongholds, and in the Middle Ages also castles. Therefore, in addition to natural attractions, it is worth visiting castles, such as the ruins of Świny Castle, Wleń Castle, Bolkow Castle or wonderful Grodziec Castle.